“Know what you want. Think about it, because it’s not as glamorous as people imagine. And football isn’t enjoyable most of the time. It can be a grind. It’s just those special moments that keep you going.”

Blumgart’s studies have underlined to him the importance of a backup plan for footballers.

“I was realistic and knew I wouldn’t be at the very highest level like La Liga or the EPL," he said.

“I remember speaking with one of my mentors, Roddy Vargas, and when he dropped down to semi-pro, his family was growing and he realised he had to find another job.

“A lot of those guys had never written a CV or been in a job interview before. Luckily he’s in coaching now.

“What if you never developed those life skills? No-one talks about when you’re out of the limelight.

“A lot of players talk about depression, and I felt defined by football which is a massive pressure.

“That’s why I took a break mid-season to find the passion again, and I’m comfortable with this break.

"Many NPL players say they are defined by football. You’re so scared of stopping, and scared about what people think – and I’ve been in some really dark times.”

Losing a chance to sign with Heart hit Blumgart hard, despite being on a high post-The Chance.

The 18-year-old, who was and is super quick, was training with the first team. But physically, his development was stunted, which didn’t help.

“I knew everything was coming to an end, I wasn’t getting a look in. And I’d have to drop down to the NPL.

“It was really hard. I thought I may have cracked it. I was on the cusp.”

Didulica added at the time: “Alon hasn’t really played at an elite level or being part of a formal representative structure.

"He’s just played for his school team but watching him now against South, he played in the centre of midfield and Alon was sensational."

Alon adds today: “It was crazy, I came to Heart from U18s purple league at North Caulfield.

"I remember my first intra-club game at Heart, it was so, so fast and physical against full-time pros.

“Coming back to Australia after The Chance and having that little bit of celebrity status was nice… and I made my parents proud of me.

“It felt good, and what’s cool about it was that Messi was on the cover of the FourFourTwo magazine with your story about me, Aido.

“But that whole Chance thing was the start of my NPL journey, which has been a slog.”

A second division will double the opportunities with around 24 professional clubs looking for talent.  It’ll be a game-changer when it finally comes in around 2021 or 2022.

Perhaps a little too late for Blumgart and others who've been squeezed out, but who knows, this story could still have a beautiful football fairytale ending. 

Blumgart signs for a second division club and in his 30s goes on to fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager with The Chance and lights up the professional ranks.

But for the moment, though, naturopathy and NPL take his focus...