Brandon Smith is more than 3,200 kilometres from home.
That is a long way to travel to live out your dream, but the 22-year-old is loving every minute of it.
Smith was born in Waiheke Island, a small island located 21 kilometres off the New Zealand mainland and a world away from the bright lights of Melbourne.
To put that into context, Smith has been playing in front of more people at AAMI Park than live on the entire island of Waiheke (less than 8,000).
"I just can't believe where I have come from," Smith said.
"A little kid from Waiheke to be in the big smoke in Melbourne, I only dreamed of that when I was a kid.
"Now I still pinch myself thinking about it, I'm playing alongside some of the greats of the game.
Smith has played 13 games so far this season and is fast becoming a fan favourite for his relentless, cannonball-like approach to the game.
He may stand at just 180cm but the kid is an absolute bull when he runs the ball.
While he has earned his spot in Craig Bellamy's side as an impact player off the bench, Smith is a hooker by trade and has relished the opportunity to learn from arguably the greatest player to ever wear a No.9.
His namesake and skipper has provided the prodigy with the ideal master to learn from.
"(Cameron) makes everyone around him a better player and a better person as well," Smith said.
"He is always giving you tips and tricks. There is no one really like him who I have seen, just the influence he has on all of us young players and even the older players is just remarkable.
"Doing what he does consistently week in and week out and continually doing it for the last 16 years is an incredible asset to this team and an incredible asset to myself as well.
"Cameron will probably outlast my career the way he is going."
