The Rowan Keeler who lines up against Tamworth FC at Gunnedah on Saturday will be the end result of a recalibrated mindset.
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Heading into last season, the Gunnedah FC mainstay, 20, decided it was time to elevate his game.
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To achieve his goal, he harnessed that sharpened determination with a soccer pedigree that dates back to when he was a young child.
He also tapped an athletic pedigree that once saw him sail over 197 centimetres in the high jump and excel as a track sprinter and long jumper (he finished fourth in high jump at the state championships).
The impetus for his mental overhaul was a drop-off in enthusiasm for the game.
In short, he wanted to become the best player he could be.
"I picked up my ability heaps last year, and knuckled down and started playing to the level that I should be," he said.
He added: "I thought that if I train hard enough, I've got the ability to be a better player.
"And, yeah, it worked out heaps [well] for me last year."
Keeler, born and raised in Gunnedah and a Gunnedah High alumnus, debuted in first grade in 2016.
For three seasons he played a mix of first grade and second grade, before his breakout season in 2019.
That year all bar one of his appearances were in the first grade, as Gunnedah marched to a grand final triumph.
This season Gunnedah have found themselves back in the top flight, as one of eight Premier Division clubs.
Keeler believes that competition from rival players of a similar age to him will inspire him to keep working hard.
"So I can keep up with them still."
He described Gunnedah's promotion as "exciting".
The side lost 8-3 to OVA in a season-opener at Riverside 3 last weekend.
Keeler, who played left wing in that match, said Saturday's home clash against Tamworth FC would be "pretty big".
Gunnedah, he said, aimed to show the two-time reigning premiers "what we've got".
The key to beating Tamworth was to "play with a good head", he said.
"I've always tried to play as confident as I can, and I usually play pretty good."
He continued: "When the team puts their head down, I'm always telling them to keep it up.
"Because if we put our heads down, it's just gonna go bad for us."
