Evergreen Gungahlin veteran Misko Naumoski keeps racking up the individual accolades, but it's Canberra's National Premier League title he hopes to be polishing come season's end.
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After notching his 250th milestone match in the top league last weekend, Naumoski hopes to help his young side take another step towards achieving that goal in Sunday's grand final rematch against competition heavyweights Canberra Croatia.
Naumoski played his first game in the NPL back in 2004 at the age of 17, and has represented Queanbeyan City, Canberra City, Belconnen United, Cooma Tigers and Canberra FC during his lengthy career.
And after last season's 3-1 loss to Canberra Croatia in the decider, the journeyman is desperate to go one better in 2021.
"It's certainly been a long time and I think the thing is, you play because you love the sport and you just go year after year after, and before you know it, it's 2021 and you're still playing," Naumoski said.
"The more senior players definitely have a lot to provide the younger lads and I'd certainly like to think that I'm playing my part in that role at the moment."
Migrating from Macedonia at the age of four, the milestone man grew a passion for soccer early in his life, but it wasn't until the age of 11 when he was introduced to the structural form of the game.
It took Naumoski just six years before making it into Canberra's top competition, and as time has passed his passion for the game has grown exponentially.
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"I've seen the game many different ways, I've been in different situations and experienced different things, so I want to pass on whatever advice or information or guidance I can the younger lads." the Gungahlin player said.
And despite no concrete plans to retire any time soon, Naumoski still has an eye to the future. He's been using his time at the growing club to build leadership skills and provide guidance to younger players at Gungahlin, in hopes build fundamentals for coaching post-retirement.
"Coaching is something I'd certainly love to be involved with in the future, and honestly if I had time now I would like to be involved with it," the Gungahlin player said.
"That first grade level coaching is something I definitely would like to pursue, but I will probably be starting at junior level,"
Naumoski knows he will continue to closely follow the local competition in the future, looking out for developing players and teams.
"I'll always have a passion for local football in the sense where you keep an eye on results, see how the younger age groups are going and which players are coming through," Naumoski said.
MEN'S NPL round 14: Belconnen United FC v West Canberra Wandereers FC, 3pm at McKellar Park, Monaro Panthers FC v Tigers FC, 5:30pm at Riverside Stadium, Canberra Croatia FC v Gungahlin United, 3pm Sunday at Deakin Stadium, Tuggerangong United FC v Canberra Olympic FC, 3pm Sunday at Kambah
