Alice Springs to Ballarat. This is hardly the pathway most would expect for an emerging young sportsman.
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However, Josh Dorron is more than happy to have made the journey to take on the role of Ballarat City FC's number one goalkeeper in NPL2 West Vic this year.
The 21-year-old is stepping up to fill the shoes of Aaron Romein, who has moved to St Albans in the top tier of the NPL in Victoria, and admits to being a little nervous.
At the same time though Dorron is excited by the challenge which Ballarat head coach Danny Gnjidic has given him and confident he can live up to expectations.
"I'm confident in my ability and looking forward to testing myself," the 203cm-tall Dorron told The Courier.
Dorron said the initial call from Gnjidic had come as a complete surprise.
He said he had spent time working with Melbourne City goalkeeping coach Joey Didulica in Alice Springs, so someone must have had some good things to say about him.
Dorron had a tryout in Ballarat late last year, but only arrived in the City on a permanent basis this week.
Dorron grew up in Bundaberg in Queensland before moving to the Northern Territory six years ago and it was there his soccer development blossomed. He represented the NT in nationals as a 15-year-old and from there graduated to the Scorpions in the Alice Springs-based NT Southern Zone Premier League.
Dorron said one of the highlights of his senior career had been playing in an exhibition match against A-League side Adelaide United.
Dorron said he was impressed with the facilities at Morshead Park and was looking forward to playing regularly on a pitch of international quality.
Meanwhile, Ballarat is still to tie down Northern Irelander Paul George for a second season.
City FC coach Danny Gnjidic said the club was having trouble getting in touch with George to finalise whether he was returning.
He said George was keen to continue with Ballarat and the club was keen to have him back, but a decision needed to be made soon with the player list to be finalised this month – before the opening round against Brunswick City on February 5.