A year on and the youngster from Nambour has returned to his old stomping ground on the Sunshine Coast with Moreton Bay United as they prepare to do battle with a battle hardened Broadmeadow Magic on Wednesday evening.

It's definitely a more intrinsic experience for Thurtell who'll start between the sticks for the NPL Queensland side, who finished fifth in the competition this year, whilst making waves to qualify for the FFA cup for the first time.

"I think it's pretty special, with the A-League clubs I was always on the bench and I guess it feels more personal being on the field achieving it," Thurtell said.

"The feeling after the game (when they qualified) was just great.

"You could just tell after the game just how much it meant not just for the players but the staff as well."

Moreton Bay's performance has also put the goalkeeper in the shop window for clubs local and abroad, something that Thurtell admitted was the plan all along.

"Talks with A-League clubs have been going pretty steady, I'm in Olyroos contention so I need to be playing games," he said.

"The coach at Moreton rang me up and said that if an A-League deal headed my way they'd be more than happy to help me along that path."

Despite his former side Perth Glory crashing out of the competition 1-0 to NPL side Heidelberg, the talented youngster has his eyes on another potential FFA cup scalp in the round of 16.

"I'd like to play Bentleigh Greens," Thurtell said.

"They're the Melbourne team my brother plays for so it'd be a good family battle!"