MICHAEL Weier fancied himself as a striker growing up in Brisbane, playing juniors for Redlands United.
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Almost a decade on from first donning the gloves, the 24-year-old goalkeeper is relishing his time in a professional environment at the Newcastle Jets.
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"Life's good and coming into a professional environment is great," Weier said after training at Maitland Sportsground on Tuesday.
"It really makes you step up and work hard and every day you're just trying to improve yourself and be a better person, not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well."
A-League rookie Weier arrived in Newcastle from Victorian NPL club Hume and this month signed a one-season deal after impressing coach Arthur Papas during a recent trial period.
The shot stopper admits it took a while to adjust following the initial excitement of becoming a Jets squad member.
"Getting that call originally from the boss was great," he said.
"It was an opportunity (train and trial), but I had to take that opportunity. Luckily enough things went my way and I got that opportunity.
"Going from NPL training three nights a week and game on a weekend, into a professional club is obviously a step up. My body wasn't coping too well at the start but I just had to get through that period and evolve with full-time training."
Under two months out from round one, a derby against the Central Coast Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium on November 21, Weier has been trying to focus on "hard work" rather than earning an A-League debut.
"One hundred percent (I'd like to play A-League this season), but I'm not focused on that," he said.
"I'm more of a day-by-day kind of person. We've got a good keepers union here at the Jets ... We need to stick together, work together and that will show on the field with our performances.
"I'm not too worried about that first cap, I'm worried about day by day and working as hard as I possibly can."
Weier has been training with Jets goalkeeper coach Chris Bowling and alongside No.1 gloveman Jack Duncan and former Australian under-20 representative Noah James.
But it wasn't always life between the posts.
"Coming through as a junior I wasn't thinking about saving goals, I was thinking about scoring them," Weier said.
"I think being a striker (previously) helps a lot reading body language.
"I definitely didn't dream of becoming a keeper but I'm so grateful it happened and I'm loving every day of it."
Having relocated from Melbourne and bouncing around Airbnb accommodation, Weier was joined this week by his partner at their new base around Carrington.
"She's my No.1 supporter so having her by my side is the most important thing and has helped a lot," he said.
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