The Rowan Keeler who lines up against Tamworth FC at Gunnedah on Saturday will be the end result of a recalibrated mindset.
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Heading into last season, the Gunnedah FC mainstay, 20, decided it was time to elevate his game.
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To achieve his goal, he harnessed that sharpened determination with a soccer pedigree that dates back to when he was a young child.
He also tapped an athletic pedigree that once saw him sail over 197 centimetres in the high jump and excel as a track sprinter and long jumper (he finished fourth in high jump at the state championships).
The impetus for his mental overhaul was a drop-off in enthusiasm for the game.
In short, he wanted to become the best player he could be.
I picked up my ability heaps last year, and knuckled down and started playing to the level that I should be.
- Rowan Keeler
"I picked up my ability heaps last year, and knuckled down and started playing to the level that I should be," he said.
He added: "I thought that if I train hard enough, I've got the ability to be a better player.
"And, yeah, it worked out heaps [well] for me last year."
Keeler, born and raised in Gunnedah and a Gunnedah High alumnus, debuted in first grade in 2016.
For three seasons he played a mix of first grade and second grade, before his breakout season in 2019.
That year all bar one of his appearances were in the first grade, as Gunnedah marched to a grand final triumph.
This season Gunnedah have found themselves back in the top flight, as one of eight Premier Division clubs.
Keeler believes that competition from rival players of a similar age to him will inspire him to keep working hard.
"So I can keep up with them still."
He described Gunnedah's promotion as "exciting".
The side lost 8-3 to OVA in a season-opener at Riverside 3 last weekend.
Keeler, who played left wing in that match, said Saturday's home clash against Tamworth FC would be "pretty big".
Gunnedah, he said, aimed to show the two-time reigning premiers "what we've got".
The key to beating Tamworth was to "play with a good head", he said.
"I've always tried to play as confident as I can, and I usually play pretty good."
He continued: "When the team puts their head down, I'm always telling them to keep it up.
"Because if we put our heads down, it's just gonna go bad for us."