When Eastern Lions midfielder Cameron Neales stepped out onto Dunstan Reserve in the opening round fixture away to Brunswick City, there was a feeling of venturing out into the unknown.
Up until that moment, the 24-year-old had spent his senior career plying his trade in the lower state leagues with Sandringham City.
After making his debut for the Bayside-based club in 2009, Neales spent the next seven seasons with the club and was playing State League 4 only three years ago.
He hit double figures in that campaign and helped City earn promotion, a feat which was repeated the following year. A versatile player, Neales spent time leading the front line, as well as marshalling the defence, with Sandringham consolidating their status in the Victorian fourth tier.
The towering figure then made the decision to step outside his comfort zone by trying his luck at a higher level.
“I was at Sandringham for seven years and for me it was more of a social thing as I enjoyed playing with all my mates at the club. During that time I was focusing on other things, such as my studies”, said the University of Melbourne student.
“I then made the decision at the end of last season to give it a go and to see if I could play at this level. I wanted to prove that I had what it takes, and so far it’s been a good start, so I’m hoping to keep this up for the remainder of the season.”
A move to the modest surrounds of Gardiners Greek Reserve followed, as Neales agreed terms with the Lions. After making his debut in that opening round 4-1 triumph, he has started every game bar last week’s loss to Goulburn Valley, which he missed through injury, and admits that he didn’t think he would feature so prominently in Jim Williams’ side.
“It’s been good. Eastern Lions are good club who have welcomed me really well and put me straight into the starting XI, he said.
“When I first came here, I was not expecting to start the first few games, but they gave me the opportunity and I have done well by playing my game so I’m pretty happy.”
Standout performances in April propelled him into the Team of the Month and even saw him earn a Player of the Month nomination for his outings.
These included braces in victories against Werribee City and Murray United – the latter a stoppage time winner – in addition to another strike against Dandenong City.
To date, Neales has eight league goals this season, a stat which sees him feature as the highest scoring midfielder in NPL2.
“The Murray game was one of the standouts as it was good to get a win after going behind,” he said.
“First game of this season as well because it is always memorable playing your first game in the NPL and getting a good 4-1 win over Brunswick.
“Then there were a few other good results we got as a team against the likes of Werribee, Nunawading and Springvale.”
In what has been an interesting season so far in NPL2 East, Neales isn’t the only player who 12 months ago played in State League Two shining in the second tier.
Dandenong Thunder forward Amir Osmancevic has been a revelation for the table-toppers, having scored 10 in as many games.
Neales believes that their respective form – along with the form of former State One player Ryan Paczkowski at Bentleigh Greens – shows the quality of players playing in the lower leagues, and believes more NPL coaches should start looking to the State Leagues in while conducting their recruitment.
“The main difference between the State Leagues and the NPL is actually getting noticed and making the step up, because not many NPL clubs come and watch State League games,” he said.
“There is always one player out there who could make that jump, and for me, I decided that I should have a go – since I knew a few boys down here, I just gave them a call and got invited back for a trial.
“But in general I think if the NPL clubs paid a little more attention to younger players in the lower leagues, they would definitely be able to find a few more boys out there who could play at this level.”
A fantastic April has been followed by a poor May for the Lions, who have lost their past four games as they head into tomorrow’s home fixture against Brunswick – who themselves are winless in four.
Despite his impressive performances this campaign, Neales is happy at the Burwood-based club, and is happy to see where the future takes him as he continues his rise from the lower echelons of state football.
“I want to see how far I can go and just keep playing and enjoying my football as that’s the main thing,” he said.
“To be honest I have no idea how high up I can play and am just enjoying where I’m playing at the moment and continue keep playing good football and see where it takes me.”
While the fairytale narratives of the likes of Leicester City pair Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez give hope to any footballers battling the way through the lower divisions, Australia’s limited football infrastructure and consequently lack of a promotion/relegation system make such a reality a distant pipe dream.
However, Neales and numerous other players in the NPL who have clawed up the divisions highlight how continued improvement and a step outside one’s comfort zone can lead to desired progression.
Image: Eastern Lions