Lawson Humphries is continuing to punch above his weight in every way possible.

That comes with the territory when the Nyul Nyul, Oomiday and Worrora man is lucky to tip the scales at 80 kilograms amid the physically brutal world of AFL football.

Humphries was catapulted to the elite level, ending his time in the WAFL competition playing in a reserves final for Swan Districts before Geelong named the small defender at pick No.60, the penultimate selection of the 2023 AFL draft.

The former Wickham resident on the north-west coast of the Pilbara is standing proudly in the surrounds of a new land. Not just inside the boundary fence of the famed Kardinia Park, but also inside of the ropes of the local mob's boxing ring.

The rising Cats star entering his third AFL season has settled onto Wathaurong country and along with its tightknit community.

"I'm looking to get involved a little bit more down here, especially in our Indigenous community with Wathaurong Boxing with its cooperative," Humphries told National Indigenous Times.

"They're trying to develop a program that keeps Indigenous kids active, which promotes a better lifestyle and using their frustrations or anger in the right way and doing it in a good place.

"I think it is something that I have really been looking forward to openly being involved in - I feel like I am a long way away from home at times. So, to be able to connect with some other Indigenous people and helping them, I just feel very fortunate."

Wathaurong Boxing has been a carefully designed, research-based initiative on Country, whose program fosters trust and respect within Indigenous youth.

Through a holistic and culturally-grounded approach, Wathaurong Boxing creates conditions for a stronger voice and aspirations to thrive by building self-worth, purpose and meaningful engagement.

The initiative empowers its members to grow, connect and strengthen their cultural identity amid not only a boxing program but also with a mentorship, which aligns with the values of Humphries, an anthropology student of Curtin University.

"I know there is a lot of people that look pretty similar to me that have not had the same fortunes in which I would love to try and help them any way I can with," Humphries says.

"I feel like Wathaurong Boxing is something I can do to hopefully give back a little bit back to our community to what looks best and to be involved to help make this a successful program.

"I just really want to give back a little bit because I always felt I have been very lucky in my life and my pursuits and that I love to pass that on."

Humphries does not confess to being much of a technical pugilist on the canvas, let alone either a brawler or a scrapper in a fight of note.

The 23-year-old, who was once overlooked in two consecutive drafts before emerging late, only really donned the gloves to finally address fitness concerns that several recruiting scouts talked about around club board tables.

But the recent West Australian State of Origin representative is also grappling with the idea of a standing up as a public role model.

"I'm still trying to figure that out, I guess, a little bit," Humphries muses.

"I feel a bit weird still when people say I'm a bit of a role model - I don't feel like that I'm doing anything special.

"We have got Tyson Stengle and Jack Martin at the footy club - I like to think that they're really our role models. I probably feel, though, that is not something I take lightly, either.

"Even wearing the (club's) Indigenous guernsey last year for the Cats, it was my way of sharing my family's story, which I think is important. So, for me, it is really trying to be as present and expose the people and community around me in Geelong for our Aboriginal culture and history.

"That is really important and it's one thing I've done and really enjoyed since I've been here that has kind have given me a real sense of role-modelling and being a leader in that community."

There was always a belonging in Wickham, which is about as far away from the modern-day metropolis of Humphries' AFL destiny.

"That's why I am trying to get more involved in the community this year," he remarks.

"You grow up in a small community and that becomes important to who you are.

"I'm now at a phase in my life that I want to develop relationships in this community where I say Geelong starts to feel like home where it makes life here a lot easier.

"For me, being away long-term makes it a lot easier to be away from my home(town) to enjoy my time here."