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.