Zac Crowhurst was a toddler when his parents, Michael and Greta, moved from Sydney to Gunnedah in search of a better life. They found it.
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Now aged 26, Crowhurst is laying the foundation for his own successful life: he bought a house with his girlfriend, Kayla Smith, and is an electrician at Whitehaven Coal's underground mine at the Gunnedah Basin.
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What the Gunnedah FC winger-striker also has is a supportive partner: it is Smith's thumbs-up for his new flowing locks that helps him endure the relentless sledges he receives about his hair.
"I cop a heap of stick, especially from opposing players," he said. "It's always their first jab.
"But I work in an underground coal mine, with long hair. I have copped way worse underground than any soccer player could ever give to me. So I take it [the on-field stirring] pretty easily."
Crowhurst did his electrical apprenticeship through his father, who owns MGC Electrical. Taking over the family business one day, he said, was "always on the table" - but not in the near future.
"I'm pretty content at the moment," he said. "Yeah, I can't complain at all. Hopefully things stay this way."
With three rounds remaining before the finals, Gunnedah are a point adrift of fourth-placed Moore Creek, whom they host on Saturday.
Both Gunnedah and Crowhurst are searching for their best form.
"I started the season pretty strong," he said. "But the last few games, I haven't been playing very well. So, I'm looking to turn that around a bit."
Gunnedah FC coach Andy Cygan said Crowhurst had been "a great player for the club" since their foundation year.