FROM park soccer in the Canberra Premier League, to getting raps from superstar Harry Kewell.
Ask Tom Rogic to describe his rise from anonymity to one of the A-League's hottest young prospects, and ''surreal'' is the first word he offers.
The 19-year-old continued to build on his burgeoning reputation with a superb goal for Central Coast in a 2-1 loss to Kewell's Melbourne Victory on Friday.
Kewell took time out after the match to compliment Rogic on his performance, his third for the league-leading Mariners since signing a one-year deal with the club.
Rogic was playing for Belconnen United in the Canberra Premier League less than a year ago, a long way from accepting praise from one of Australia's greatest ever players.
''It was nice to get a few words from the Victory players, including Harry, about my performance and my goal,'' Rogic said yesterday.
''It gives you confidence, but at the same time you don't want to let it get into your head.
''When I saw who I was lining up against, players like Harry and Archie Thompson, it felt surreal and when I scored I was thinking 'is this really happening?'.''
In a perfect world Rogic would currently be playing for English Championship side Reading.
The attacking midfielder was part of an exclusive group chosen to play for the London-based Nike Academy after a global competition.
He was offered a contract by Reading after starring for the academy in a game against them, but red tape prevented him from accepting.
Though understandably distraught at the time, he has found a home at the Mariners and his sole focus is on helping them go one better than last year's grand final loss to Brisbane.
''I was obviously devastated, finding out I wasn't going to get the chance to play in England,'' Rogic said.
''I really had my heart set on playing over there, I enjoyed my club at Reading and the club was really good to me.
''But at the same time I got a lot of confidence out of a side like Reading wanting me.
''I was coming back for the Christmas break anyway, so when the Mariners [offer] popped up the timing couldn't have been better.''
Rogic confirmed Reading has maintained contact, but he is unsure whether he will try his luck overseas or remain in the A-League next season.
''I'm not too sure ... at the moment I'm concentrating on ... getting more games under my belt here,'' Rogic said.
''When the team's on top of the ladder it was always going to be hard to work my way into the side, but Arnie [coach Graham Arnold] has given me the opportunity and I'm trying to take it.''
Rogic said his time at the Nike Academy, which was run like a professional club, gave him the injection of confidence he needed.
''We played against sides like the Inter Milan and Celtic under 20 sides, and a QPR team which had a lot of first-team players in it,'' Rogic said. ''It was a great experience and I'm a much better player for it.''
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