A backyard role model who backed his ability all the way to an AFL premiership medallion blazed a trail for Calvin Peris-Chong to play the same way.
While they might not have shared a bunk growing up with the age gap, the bond is so intertwined that in the same year Peris-Chong represented Northern Territory for the first time, eldest brother Brandan Parfitt debuted for Geelong.
Parfitt arrived to do preseason, put in the hard yards, did everything coach Chris Scott asked of the proud Larrakia and Warumungu man and immediately claimed a spot in the 2017 season opener ahead of an uninterrupted run of 15 matches in a row.
By that stage, another coach invited Parfitt's young sibling to trial for the Territory's under-12s squad.
Former Essendon forward Alwyn Davey knew talent when he saw it after all but handpicking Peris-Chong from relative obscurity.
The 10-year-old was not registered to play with a club, but in an almost unheard feat ran out his first competitive game of football against the best kids from Tasmania.
"I am a bit nervous to be honest," he admitted on a Darwin sports podcast in 2017.
"So, I've just followed quite a lot of people that understand training and listened to them really carefully."
That unorthodox journey led Peris-Chong to Nightcliff – the club that developed not only Parfitt but that of his cousin Jack Peris, who has made his way to St Kilda's list.
And while the elusive utility has been a constant in Territory under-age teams, he has also made his senior Northern Territory premier league debut for Nightcliff at just 15.
Reports that Peris-Chong performed impressively from his 10 disposals extended to a first senior goal in the NTFL and earning a rising star nomination for the round.
The clash against Palmerston that snapped a five-game losing streak also featured – in a twist of irony – Alwyn Davey's son Alijah's first senior appearance too.
That feat, much like the one that turned heads five years earlier, came on the back of playing for the Tigers' under-16 and under-18 sides all in the first half of the season.
It further adds to a growing reputation where Peris-Chong has been voted the best-on-ground 21 times from 85 previous games since that humble Territory beginning.
"We're continually in awe of what the Peris name has brought to the Tigers for many, many years and we are excited to see the hard running and sporting smarts that has earned Calvin his selection," Nightcliff posted on its Facebook page.
"With a string of junior premierships, he knows success."
