When Shadeene “Shay” Evans made her W-League debut on Thursday night it marked another step in the career of a footballer long touted as one of Australia’s brightest prospects. The 17-year-old striker’s 82nd minute introduction in Sydney FC’s 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Leichhardt Oval was just reward for a player who has developed a reputation among her teammates as a “fighter” with a fierce competitive streak.

“I think back home, competing against the boys, I reckon it comes from that,” she tells Guardian Australia. “The boys up there are pretty rough with everyone and I reckon I just thought, if they give me a push why not give them a push back. But I’ve always been competitive and rough and tough. When I’m training, in the games. Even going out hunting and stuff, chasing goannas, things like that, I always want to give it my best.”

Born and raised in the remote town of Borroloola on the Northern Territory’s east coast, Evans was 13 when she moved 3,000km to Sydney as a graduate of the John Moriarty Football program for Indigenous players from the Top End. Since becoming involved with the foundation Evans, who started playing barefoot with her uncle and cousins at the age of nine, has been making giant leaps.

Moriarty was the first Indigenous player to be selected for Australia in 1961, and was also born in Borroloola. He has been running the program since 2012, and Evans is the first professional athlete to emerge from it. In 2015 she moved to Sydney and enrolled at Westfields Sports High, as part of the school’s football program.

“It was very difficult at first, being 13, it was very young to move away from home by myself but I found it easier because I had a very supportive family, great coaches and the John Moriarty foundation,” she says. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them, really.”

Moriarty himself is sure Thursday night was just the beginning for his star graduate. “It’s definitely her dream [to play for the Matildas] and the fact she’s already played for the Young Matildas, she certainly has her sights firmly set on that,” he says. “As far as we’re concerned she certainly has the talent and the rest will be up to opportunity. The desire is there for her and I think that will come through provided she gets the opportunity.”

Shay Evans embraces John Moriarty after the striker made her W-League debut. Photograph: FFA

Quiet off the pitch, Evans has developed among her teammates at Sydney FC a reputation for her combative nature. Matildas veteran Lisa De Vanna describes her as a “fighter” who isn’t afraid to take on her more senior teammates. “I like to crack jokes when we have four v two drills that I want her on my side, because she’ll go straight through you,” she says. “She doesn’t care who you are, whether you’re a Matilda or a senior player, she’ll treat you and challenge you like any other person. She always just wants the ball.”

The 34-year-old is Australia’s leading international goalscorer and second most capped Matilda. De Vanna sees a drive in her young teammate that she believes will serve her well in the future.

“When I’ve trained with the Young Matildas, she’s probably the one with the most heart in terms of wanting to win and working hard,” she said. “It shows that she’s passionate and has a winning mentality. She still has a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow [but] when you have someone with that kind of heart, they are the little 10% things you need.

She’s got a different background to a lot of the girls having left home at such a young age. It’s not an easy thing to do Lisa De Vanna

“That’s what I really like about her, she’s a winner, she’s got a different background to a lot of the girls having left home at such a young age. It’s not an easy thing to do for someone her age and to be where she’s at is impressive.”

For now, Evans is still revelling in the excitement of her W-League debut. “Going from playing barefoot to where I am now, playing in front of crowds, on TV, it was a really unforgettable moment. I honestly really enjoyed last night.” But she’s ambitious to one day play for the Matildas, and has embraced being a role model in her community at such a young age.

“I think the younger ones definitely look up to me which I am pretty happy about” she says. I would like the other Indigenous kids and everyone in the Northern Territory and especially in my community to see what I’m doing and maybe help [give] them an idea of what football can do.”