AFL veteran Rory Lobb has opened up on the horrific bullying that forced him to quit school in year nine, revealing he came dangerously close to taking his own life.

In a raw and emotional interview on Channel 7’s Unfiltered, Lobb detailed the relentless physical and verbal abuse he endured at Governor Stirling Senior High School in Perth.

Watch the full interview on Seven and 7plus, after Front Bar on Wednesday night

Lobb, 33, said his troubles began in year eight when a student who had been expelled from another school arrived and sparked a pack mentality among his peers.

“I’ve blocked out a lot throughout my life and it’s a bit of a blur and I feel like that was a bit of a coping mechanism,” Lobb told gun interviewer Hamish McLachlan.

“My year nine was just like hell. It was a really hard time in my life.

“It was physical, verbal and it was very emotional for me as a person, and I didn’t really have the tools to handle the situation that I was in.”

The abuse became so severe that Lobb was hospitalised multiple times, including once when he was knocked unconscious.

He began skipping school two or three days a week to avoid the onslaught, pulling “a lot of sickies” because he simply couldn’t face another day.

“I was lucky enough to speak to my mum when I was having suicidal thoughts and I feel like I was very close to tipping over the edge,” he said.

“Every hour was terrible. The only happy space that I had was at home.”

The torment followed him beyond the school gates, with the bullies present at his football training sessions.

“It wasn’t even really about anything ... it just was like a fun thing for them,” Lobb said.

Lobb’s mother made the decision to pull him out of school entirely, believing the situation wouldn’t improve elsewhere.

He credits one fellow student who refused to join in the bullying with helping him through the darkest period.

“I feel like he really saved me in a way and I still have a relationship with him now,” Lobb said.

“For him to be a 14-year-old and not jump on what other people were doing, I’m incredibly grateful for him.”

The experience forced him to grow up quickly, missing out on the typical teenage years and close friendships most young people enjoy.

“I really missed that I didn’t get to experience being a kid. I had to grow up so quickly and I was a loner,” he said.

Lobb’s message to young people facing similar situations is simple but powerful: speak up.

“It is one of the hardest things to do and I feel like I should have spoken up a lot earlier,” he said.

“I just let it build up, build up, didn’t tell my parents. Doesn’t matter who it is, whether it’s a friend that you’re really close with.”

After starting his career at the GWS Giants in 2014, Lobb has gone on to play 221 AFL games.

He joined Fremantle ahead of the 2019 season, and then headed to the Western Bulldogs at the end of the 2022 season.

Watch the full interview on Unfiltered on Seven and 7plus after Front Bar on Wednesday night

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.