Cut to 2017 and Athiu has gone to an even higher plane with his performances again earning him the 2017 Victorian NPL Player’s Player of the Year.

Athui's goal for Heidelberg in the 1-0 win against Perth Glory in the FFA Cup Round of 32 proved he could match it with the top tier of Australian football.

This year I came in with a target on my back

His performances in hitting the back of the net helped lead the Bergers to the Dockerty Cup, the NPL Victoria premiership, the FFA Cup quarter-finals and grand final runners up in the Victorian NPL. Not forgetting, Heidelberg United were also crowned Australian NPL Champions.

Looking back on his eventful 2017, the 24-year-old centre-forward says it’s been a satisfying and wonderful campaign.

“It’s been amazing, hasn’t it?” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed this year as it has been my best season in front of goals.

"Last year was my first real start with Heidelberg and not many teams knew about me and this year I came in with a target on my back.

“It’s been a bit more difficult having a few more defenders marking me. But it also helps me on the pitch as a striker even though it's been tough.

"My goal at the beginning of the season was to score more goals and to improve. I can say right now that I have achieved those goals so far. I’ve been really happy with my season.”

I said to him: "In year three I’ll make sure I get you overseas or possibly an A-League gig" - Katsakis

Ahead of the 2017-18 season it looked like no NPL players would be signed by an A-League team but Perth Glory has given Athiu his first break in the big-time - news that would please his mentor Katsakis.

Especially as the Heidelberg coach knew he was on to something special and that Athiu would go places, here he is talking to FourFourTwo in 2016.

“It was a three-year plan for us when I picked him up and I said to him, ‘in year three I’ll make sure I get you overseas or possibly an A-League gig'."

Katsakis added, “Technically he is amazing, he has everything. Seeing his ability to run at pace at people while using technical ability is something I haven’t seen for a long time from a player.

“You don’t get a lot of dribblers anymore who can get past people with the ball. In a fulltime environment, he’d be a totally different player.”

Athiu’s journey has taken him from a country ravaged by civil war, to seeing his ambition realised and he says his parents are the reason for the person he is today.

“Obviously I’ve grown up being grateful with everything,” he said. “Back then you were thinking about school and coming home and then you have the same routine almost every day.

“But our parents had a bigger future planned for us. I’ve seen my parents struggle bringing us into the country and then bringing us up. They gave us so much more opportunities by coming to Australia.

"Seeing their dedication, I just have to look at life and be grateful for where I am. It’s shaped me to be a humble person.”