A broken back ruined his first A-League bid but Jack Green hasn't given up on his professional dream and hopes matching it with the Newcastle Jets proved he can play against the best.
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Green will play his second game in three days when Belconnen United attempts to stay alive in the League Championship battle as it fights with Canberra FC to finish at the top of the ladder.
Canberra teenager Green signed with the Western Sydney Wanderers youth team last year after rejecting offers from Newcastle, Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC.
But the intense A-League training load left the defender with a fractured back and his dream in tatters. He has rebuilt his career in the capital and after playing for the NPL All Stars against the Jets earlier this week, Green is convinced he can resurrect his career if he's given an opportunity.
''I'm a bit more cautious now because of the injuries I've had, but I'm willing to play and have a go,'' Green said. ''I'm not looking too much further ahead. If options come up, I'll look at them. But I just want to win a premiership with Belconnen first.
''I thought I played fairly well against Newcastle so I hope I opened their eyes so they could see I could still play at that level. It's hard when you get a lot of injuries.''
Belconnen is second on the ladder, four points behind Canberra FC. If Canberra FC beats Cooma on Sunday it will clinch the League Championship by cementing its place at the top of the table.
It would also set a Capital Football record for the club's 21st League Championship.
Belconnen needs to beat Tuggeranong at Kambah on Saturday and win its last regular-season round next weekend to finish first again.
Green, 18, has been one of Belconnen's best performers and played 90 minutes against the Jets.
It's a massive turnaround after he was told his broken back would sideline him for six months.
Green made a rapid recovery and was back within four months, but he admits he still has to monitor his workload to avoid re-injuring himself.
Belconnen finished at the top of the ladder last season, but lost a heartbreaking grand final to Cooma. Green said the team wants redemption.
''We're really confident, we've been on a good run of form and we're hoping we can get above Canberra FC,'' he said.
''Our aim at the start of the year was to defend our [League Champions] title and we're trying to do that. If we can't get it, we really want to get a top-two spot.''
