It was awfully cruel on Currie, because his was already an extraordinary story prior to his October trade from the Roos to Gold Coast. Only in 2014, more than seven years after first being drafted by Sydney, Currie made his debut, taking to the field for North against the Western Bulldogs in round two. He played the next week too, and a third game a fortnight after that. But it was patently clear there was no room in Brad Scott's line-up for both Goldstein and Currie. It meant that despite a sturdy run of form for Werribee, Currie would play just one more game for the Roos – in the final round of 2014 when Goldstein was rested against Melbourne. In discussions with North, and with his contract coming to an end, he knew something had to give. "They were hoping that I was going to re-sign because although I wasn't playing regular senior footy, the situation was a bit unique because I wasn't really doing a whole lot wrong. "I was pretty open with them throughout the second half of the year and just mentioned that I love the club and I would have liked to stay but if there was a greater opportunity elsewhere to play consistent senior footy then I was definitely going to look at it." That opportunity arose. Suns ruckman Zac Smith was on the lookout for a new home, and so Gold Coast came knocking in the hope that Currie could spice up their ruck division. Talks began between the Suns and Currie's manager, but they had to take a back seat. After all, North were making a charge to the finals, and Currie was just one injury away - even if it was a longshot - from being thrown into the September action.

But with their campaign ended by West Coast, Currie spoke to Suns coach Rodney Eade and recruiting manager Scott Clayton. He was impressed by their enthusiasm. Having weighed up the pros and cons of a move to Queensland, he realised it was a no-brainer. "I've got a lot of great mates there, it wasn't easy to leave. [But] from a footy point of view it was a pretty easy decision, I clearly had to," said Currie. "Getting that little taste of it and then having it taken away, it's a pretty frustrating situation to be stuck in." They were hoping that I was going to re-sign because although I wasn't playing regular senior footy, the situation was a bit unique because I wasn't really doing a whole lot wrong. Daniel Currie But rather than a sense of being forced to start again, Currie, who will be 27 by round one, feels he is closer than ever. He is aware how remarkable his journey has been. Having had five years on the Swans' list — the first of which he says didn't really count because he spent it at school in Melbourne — he was delisted. While not initially enamoured with the prospect of venturing to South Australia, Currie chanced his arm at SANFL club North Adelaide. It was worth it.

And even though his three seasons at Arden Street didn't make Currie an AFL regular, he sees the value in what he has been through. "I've now ticked off nearly the majority of Australia so I've certainly racked up a few miles and plenty of life experience. I wouldn't change anything." He then checks himself. "No I suppose you would change some of it if you had your time again. "In terms of the uniqueness of it, it's certainly been a long journey and I'm hoping it's finally going to reap the rewards because I feel like I've persevered for a while, never really dropped my bundle at all, although it has been pretty dark times with a few injuries." He says the darkest of those times came three clubs ago – during an injury-marred 2011 season when he wondered whether he was cut out for a prolonged AFL stint.