YOUNG ruckman Matthew Leuenberger might have enjoyed an impressive and winning start to his Brisbane Lions senior career, but that doesn’t mean he thinks AFL life is easy.

Since being picked to debut against West Coast three weeks ago, Leuenberger has played in three consecutive wins, the latest a 117-point demolition of Carlton at the Gabba on Sunday.

While Jonathan Brown deservedly got the headlines for his 10 goals, 203cm Leuenberger also caught the eye, especially with a skillful passage of second term play in which he roved his own tap before setting up a Scott Harding goal with a cleverly timed handball.

The 19-year-old isn’t, however, about to start taking success – either team or personal – for granted.

“I’ve found it a pretty tough step to be honest,” Leuenberger said of the transition from AFLQ to the top-flight.

“You are up against much bigger blokes who make a lot better decisions. I expected it to be very different and it will take time to get used to.

“My first game I was up against Dean Cox and in my second game it was Jeff White.

“You really learn off those guys because of their ability to get around the ground, make themselves dangerous and get the footy.”

Having grown up in WA watching the competition’s best ruckman, Cox, he is firmly in the frame to take on another top notch mobile big man, Collingwood’s Josh Fraser, at the MCG on Saturday.

If trends for Lions-Magpies games at the 'G hold true, Leuenberger would also find himself centre stage in front of the biggest crowd he has ever played.

Last year’s corresponding clash with the Pies drew 54, 820 fans.

“I’m not quite sure how big the crowd will be but when we played West Coast I think there were more than 40,000 there – and that was big for me,” he said.

“I’ve been getting a bit nervous before AFL games, but I think that’s natural. I’m nervous sitting on the bench waiting to go on.

“I don’t really know what to expect, but we’re treating it just any other game.”

Leuenberger, who was taken with the No. 4  selection of last year’s NAB AFL National Draft by the Lions, has already been light-heartedly tagged a lucky omen by some of his more experienced teammates.

Like other Perth products to end up at the Gabba, he says the similarities between Brisbane and the WA capital have eased the transition involved in moving cross-country.

“It’s been great and I think I’ve handled it pretty well,” he said.

“There are always going to be things you miss about home.

“But I love it up here. The weather is good, the city is nice and it’s pretty chilled out – which is similar to Perth.”