Jackson Irvine, the 33-year-old FC St. Pauli captain and one of the most experienced leaders in Tony Popovic's squad, is appearing at his third FIFA World Cup for the Socceroos.
But long before Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 or North America 2026, there was a keen kid from Melbourne's South-East hopping into the back of his grandfather's ute, to get to training.
Born in Melbourne in 1993, Irvine grew up in a footballing household. His father Steve, emigrated from Scotland to play in the Victorian state leagues in the 1970s. Irvine came up through local Victorian clubs including Ringwood City, with his grandfather Gerry, serving as his first coach.
That grassroots grounding is something the people who watched him develop remember vividly. Michael Gysberts, secretary of Ringwood at the time, recalls a young player who simply could not be kept off the pitch.
"I remember little Jackson hopping in the back of Gerry's ute to go to training. He was a very keen, very tenacious young player, always raring to go," Gysberts told The Herald Sun.
"He was a hard worker already at that age. Always kicking, dribbling and training whenever he could. He never gave up."
"I remember my dear friend Gerry teaching Jackson to kick with both feet, dribble and control the game, something that stays a strong suit in his game to this day.
Even then, the trajectory seemed clear.
"You're going to be a very good player if you keep it up … I think you'll be playing for Australia one day," Gysberts remembers telling a young Irvine.
That prediction proved well-founded. Irvine joined Scottish powerhouses Celtic as a boy, progressing through the academy and making his senior debut in 2012. Loan spells at Kilmarnock and Ross County preceded a breakout season at Burton Albion, where he was reshaped into a box-to-box midfielder and named the club's player of the year.
After stints at Hull City and Hibernian, Irvine signed for FC St. Pauli in 2021. He has since become the club's captain and helped lead them to the 2. Bundesliga title and promotion to the German top flight in 2023/24.
On the international stage, Irvine made his Socceroos debut against Canada in October 2013 and has gone on to become the 63rd man to captain Australia. He started every group match and the Round of 16 clash with Argentina in Qatar and scored two crucial Asian Cup goals in 2023 that sent Australia through to the knockouts. He now has more than 80 caps and 14 international goals to his name.
For Gysberts though, the fondest memory has nothing to do with a goal or a cap.
"When Gerry, Jackson's grandfather, passed away in 2019, Jackson played a game in a suit and tie at his wake," Gysberts reminisces.
"The whole family was there and shared stories over coffee and tea. After a little while Jackson and all the young cousins in the family went onto the pitch and started playing in suits and ties.
"It was very comical and very much appreciated by the rest of the people at the wake, and I know Gerry would have been looking down from the heavens ever so pleased and proud.
"That's Jackson."