It is not an unusual situation for players to relocate or travel vast distances for football these days, but not many would have travelled further than Steve Lorenzo.
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Originally from the Tiwi Islands (off the north coast of Darwin), Lorenzo has flown thousands of kilometres south to join Mininera and District Football League club Great Western.
“I was pretty keen to come down and give it a go,” Lorenzo said about making the move to Victoria.
The 20-year-old arrived in Horsham last Wednesday where he will be living with friend and Great Western teammate Nigel Sibson.
Sibson and Lorenzo met through football connections in the Northern Territory and they have remained friends since.
Both players are new to Great Western, with Sibson coming across from Wimmera league club Dimboola.
He has an ability to make the impossible possible which has already seen him become a cult hero at the club
- Will Bell
Sibson said the Lions have been “fantastic” in welcoming both himself and Lorenzo to the club.
“We are very grateful for the way we have been welcomed in,” he said.
“It is obviously a very big move for Steve to come all the way down here. Last week he (Lorenzo) was saying it is a great environment to be in.
“It is a huge effort from him to move so far away from home.”
Lorenzo pulled on the Great Western jumper for the first time at the weekend, and he did not disappoint.
In wet and soggy conditions, he was able to kick four goals and play a big part in a memorable victory.
Great Western coach Will Bell said Lorenzo’s presence at the club is massive.
“Steve just gives us another sense of culture,” he said.
“Everyone has shown great respect to him and his background and have tried to learn from him.
“On the field he is an excitement machine. He has an ability to make the impossible possible which has already seen him become a cult hero at the club.”
Lorenzo said he has settled in well but there is one thing about Victoria he might have trouble adjusting to.
“I have played in the rain but not the cold, it was pretty cold last week,” he said.
SEE MORE: LIONS NOT GETTING CAUGHT IN HYPE
Lorenzo is working with Parks Victoria and at this point in time will be in Victoria until the end of the football season.
Sibson said Lorenzo has a place at Great Western for as long as he wants.
“To get him down here for a full season is a big thing for the footy club,” he said.
“We will see what he is feeling like at the end of the season. If he wants to stay we are more than happy to have him.”
For now Lorenzo’s focus is on helping the Lions climb the ladder and play competitive football. “I want to play the whole season and see how far we can go.”