And you'd have won big.

In a matter of days, Santalab, 36, went from playing his final game as a professional in front of over 55,000 fans in sunny Perth at the flash new Optus Stadium to a few hundred rugged-up hardcore faithful in NPL Victoria’s winter competition, playing for NPL strugglers Dandenong City. 

A-League Grand Final to NPL relegation dog fight all in one week. 

At City, "Santa" joined Victory legend Carl Valeri and former Victory defender Adrian Leijer in a powerhouse trio of former A-League star signings.

As the aroma of fresh cevapi wafts onto the pitch and burly NPL defenders kick lumps out of him in a freezing Melbourne winter, it’s a big change for Santalab, who’s been a professional footballer for almost 20 years.

But he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Santalab has never been scared of a challenge: from China to Hungary, Singapore, and Belgium, Sydney to Perth, he’s enjoyed the challenge that different teams and leagues bring. 

An invitation from football journalist and Dandy City backer Dave Davutovic allowed the striker to immediately get back on the football horse after his - and Glory’s - grand final heartache in May.

Though it’s been an eye-opener of sorts, even for Santalab, whose first game was against the league leaders. 

“The NPL, it’s very fiery. Some of the tackles were brutal. Even some cheap shots coming towards me,” Santalab tells FTBL in Melbourne.

“It was ‘Welcome to the NPL, Santa!’ from a couple of the Avondale players. My introduction to the NPL was a very tough one. All we did was defend pretty much the whole game.

“We played the league leaders Avondale and we were able to secure a 0-0 against the table toppers.

“I went into my first game knowing it would be difficult. Stepping down from A-League to NPL has been a great challenge.

“But we had a good laugh about it after the game. And actually, the respect I’ve been given from players has been overwhelming.

“After games, players coming up to me congratulating me on my career, and from these guys who do it tough in the NPL, it’s an honour to have that respect.”

Santalab has quickly moved on from the Grand Final, but still continuing to do what he loves: play football.

And as part of a trio of now-ex A-League stars, it’s a bold play from Dandy, who are coached by former Young Socceroo Ante Moric.

Leijer, Valeri and Santalab

“I was absolutely delighted to see Carl signing with us. I didn’t like playing against Carl because he’s a fantastic player.

“I’ve been lucky to get to know Carl a little better. He’s a top person, a great man who did so much for our game and achieved so much for our game.

“To be in the same team as Carl is a bit surreal,” Santalab added.

“Sometimes I turn around and look at my midfield and see Carl Valeri, then before Adrian Leijer got injured I’d see him too!

“I’ve got to pinch myself and realize this is actually happening.

“An absolute honor to play with Carl and Adrian and we really hope we can help the club survive this relegation scrap.

“It’s a league with many fantastic players with A-League potential.

"I’m excited for the kids here because there’s a third A-League team coming in next season and potentially with Team 11 another A-League team in years to come.”

Santalab’s professional career is over after Glory’s penalty shootout loss to Sydney FC last month drew the curtain on his time as a professional.

The forward’s shootout miss at Optus Stadium is all part of a footballer’s ups and downs.

The player knows he can’t change the past, but is looking to the future.

And that’s all about helping to keep Dandy City in the top flight of Victorian football, with Moric’s men 11th in the 14 team competition. 

“I just wanted to put that behind me as quickly as possible,” he says when reflecting on his grand final day last month.

“I am happy. I’m really enjoying my football. I love going to training,” Santalab adds.

“I love helping the other boys out and being a leader, and I’ve always wanted to live in Melbourne.

“And what a great club with great people. They’d do anything to help you and make you feel at home. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Santalab’s career has come full circle.

From a kid in Wollongong to NSL football with Sydney United, playing overseas and enjoying the highest of highs winning A-League Premierships and Asian Champions Leagues.

It’s allowed him a sense of perspective, one that every player faces as his or her career winds its way from the pitch to life after playing.

“On game day, smelling that delicious Croatian food… it really brings back my days as a kid watching the local league… it’s those little things that happen at the grassroots level that bring back the memories.”

Santalab, from sunny Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, is a beach lover. So Melbourne winters are a bit of a struggle, to say the least.

“I’m struggling in the mornings! It’s ice cold! I’m a beach boy. And out at Dandenong, it goes down a few more degrees!. It was brutal a few weeks ago with the wind and rain,” he says with a chuckle.

Santalab with fans at his former club Western Sydney Wanderers

Santalab added: “I knew I’d take a hit in terms of facilities, pitches, conditions and all of that.

“But that challenge excited me. I gave my absolute all at the top level. And the good thing is, I’m 36 and still in fantastic shape.

“And being able to give my all at this level. If I didn’t feel I could do that, and make a difference, I would’ve hung my boots up altogether.

“For me, nothing changes. I’m still the same Brendon Santalab. Just playing in a different league.

“I still celebrated a goal against South Melbourne like it was in front of 55,000.

"And I’ll always respect anyone who comes through a gate to see me play.”

See Santa, Valeri, and Co as their NPL fight continues when Dandy City meet Melbourne Knights in the Croatian Derby at Somers St on Friday night.