The son of a professional rugby league player, Dotti was recently snapped up for the Sky Blues youth team after several months acclimatising with the train-on squad.

But while his Dad Phil once enjoyed a memorable professional career with Cronulla Sutherland, from the age of six Dotti has only ever had eyes for the round ball.

The 18-year-old is just the second indigenous player to sign with the harboursiders since David Williams was brought in for a brief Asians Champion League stint last year.

“I don’t know why I didn’t go in for rugby league,” Dotti said. “I just came home from school one day and said I wanted to play soccer.

"Then Dad took us down to the nearest club in the area and I went out and started kicking a ball.

“After that I just started training in the backyard, kicking it around myself, up against the wall, just having fun and enjoying it.”

He’s been kicking a ball ever since. Sky Blues head coach Ian Crook and NYL coach Brian Dene have kept a close eye on the progress of the towering Sydney teen.

Last season, Dotti added Rockdale City Suns Player of the Year award to a growing list of accolades. A former Harry Williams Cup winner, he has excelled at a variety of sports, but it’s in football where he hopes to make his mark.

Powerfully built and versatile – he can play anywhere along the back line – the kid from Wattle Grove is carrying more on his shoulders than just personal aspirations.

“It’s very big for me (making the youth team) and also good for Aboriginal people," he said. "Knowing that I’m doing them proud, moving up in the ranks and hopefully being a good role model is important to me.

“I know I look up to players like David Williams and Travis Dodd – they’re really good. But maybe for a lot of indigenous kids, those in rural areas growing up, there’s not much soccer around and they just naturally go into rugby league.

“Just hearing about all the big rugby league stars like Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis and seeing their parents watch them on TV - I guess they see them as role models and want to follow what they do.”

Dotti is hoping to help change that.

For the next few seasons at least he’ll be juggling football and university studies – he hopes to become a primary school teacher – but his first passion remains the same.

Looking at players such as Dimi Petratos, Joel Chianese and Mitch Mallia who have made the leap from the youth league to first team, Dotti is convinced he’s on the right track.

“Getting in the youth team has really encouraged me to strive and progress,” he said.

“It makes me even more determined to get into the A-League and get a first grade contract.

“After that maybe overseas. Hopefully I’ll make one of the Australian sides this year if not next year – whatever. I just want to climb as far as I can go.”