In football, a 64th minute benching can sometimes mark a tactical switch or spell the end of a game for an under-performing player. But for Melbourne Victory debutant Stefan Nigro, who kept Johnny Warren medallist Thomas Broich quiet during his time on the pitch against Brisbane Roar on Saturday, his substitution prompted an ovation usually reserved for club legends.

By the time Nigro was replaced by Nick Ansell, who was brought on to earn vital minutes in his return from injury, the clash was wrapped up at 4-0 and the right-back had duly earned a breather on the sidelines.

It capped an emotional three-day rollercoaster for the 19-year-old, who found out about his selection in the first XI on Thursday.

“The debut was an unbelievable experience for me, to start in such a big game against a top of the table team, and to actually have a good game as well and receive such an ovation, I’m very humbled by it,” Nigro says.

“I got called in to train the week prior to the game and I had no idea then. The earlier sessions in the week there’s no indication [of your selection], but once you start getting closer to game day, certain drills you can tell based on personnel in each.

“I didn’t expect to start until I got told though, we had youth boys training and you don’t know your chances, you obviously hope you get picked and I was delighted.”

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The Ballarat local’s appearance is a culmination of three years of toil in the Victory system and almost two decades of dedication to the sport.

Coming from a family with Italian heritage, Nigro picked up a ball while still in diapers and hasn’t stopped playing ever since, working his way up the Victorian football hierarchy.

“I was kicking a ball around before I was two years old, my parents always used to tell me they couldn’t stop me from it and that it was ridiculous,” he says. “I always watched football. Being Italian I also played around with my two brothers, dad and uncles. They all played. If I went to their place there was always a soccer ball.”

The early years saw Nigro travel long distances to play at Melbourne Knights until an U13 level, before returning to playing locally in Ballarat. He rose through the ranks at Ballarat Red Devils, making a State League 2 debut under Brian Shelley and a maiden starting appearance under Sinisa Cohadzic.

It was also at his time in Ballarat where the then 15-year-old had his first brush with European football, offered a trial at Aston Villa.

“That was a very big eye-opener for me, going over at 15 I hadn’t had that sort of experience before and to experience that different dynamic and culture and how kids act was completely different to Australia,” he says.

“When I was there, the way the age group falls I would have been U16 here, but technically there I was U18. With Villa being one of the best academies in the country it was quite difficult, but I didn’t feel out of my depth – it was more fitness and physical development [where I struggled].

“But they said if I ever come back they’ll recommend me to other clubs for trials. But the year after that I was a train-on at victory and didn’t think it was necessary as I had Darren [Davies] and Vaughn [Coveny], two very good coaches who helped my game tremendously.”

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Back home, the new NPL Victoria era starting in 2014 saw James Robinson – who years earlier had made a brief but lasting mark at Melbourne Victory – appointed to lead the Red Devils in the top flight. However, after building a reputation in the State Leagues, Nigro answered the call from Port Melbourne to play at JL Murphy Reserve, and lined up with the Sharks that season. Having featured in midfield and right back previously, the youngster consolidated his ability at the latter under Eric Vassiliadis.

At the same time he was lining up for Melbourne Victory in the National Youth League, playing three games at fullback in his first campaign as a 16-year-old, before featuring more prominently in midfield in the second. With Melbourne’s A-League clubs then fielding sides in the NPL in 2015, Nigro played out a full season with the navy blues, emerging as one of the side’s standouts.

“In my junior years I had some really good coaches who had my playing a few age levels up,” Nigro says. “I was always playing with the older boys who were more physically developed even at that age I learnt certain things that are still in the game today. Growing up today – my teammates, not all of them are playing anymore, as you get older more drop out, but it’s good to know I have a whole series of coaches and players from that time who contributed to where I am today, but it’s only the start.”

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As Round 15 of the 2015/16 A-League season approached, Kevin Muscat was faced with a selection conundrum. Victory’s backline was decimated by injury, suspension, and international duty, with Jason Geria, Scott Galloway, Thomas Deng and Giancarlo Gallifuoco all on Olyroos duty, Nick Ansell not fully fit yet, and Daniel Georgievski accumulating five yellow cards.

Dylan Murnane was the obvious choice on the left side, Leigh Broxham would once more shift back to partner Mathieu Delpierre in the centre, while the right back spot was left vacant. The decision was made to test the unheralded Nigro against the likes of Thomas Broich, Henrique and Matt McKay on the biggest stage.

“When I got to the ground the boys knew I was starting and came and asked how I was feeling.” he says. “In the warm up and tactics they said to enjoy it and that I’m here for a reason, and just to play like I usually do and not like someone else and play to my strengths,” Nigro says.

The rest, as they say, is history, with Nigro playing perhaps the best 64 minutes of his career to date. Guided by his senior peers, he was able to nullify the threat posed by the current league leaders.

“The experience around me definitely helped,” he says. “The players I was playing with were a confidence booster, I knew that they’d help me out regardless, they were constantly speaking to me throughout the game, helping me out. When I did good things they were the first to compliment me.”

“Everything’s a step quicker and sharper in the A-League than the youths, and the tempo is higher, so I knew I had to do the basics well and keep the ball moving, play the first pass and not try and dribble unnecessarily.”

Ironically, it was an adventurous dribble – call it necessary – via an audacious flick past Broich that started a succession of team passes ending in Kosta Barbarouses’ second goal, a header that effectively killed off the contest at 3-0.

Melbourne Victory’s Stefan Nigro checked his pockets as he left AAMI Park last night…Phone ✓Keys ✓Wallet ✓Thomas Broich ✓ Posted by Hyundai A-League on Friday, 15 January 2016

“I cant really explain it,” he concedes. “It just sort of happened, it was just instinct. To do that on such a good player, it did feel good. It’s great to have a little bit of individual brilliance during big games. Hes one of the best players the A-League has ever seen and I have the utmost respect for him.”

That moment, along with a couple of nutmegs, earned the youngster instant cult status among the Victory faithful, with one of the loudest cheers reserved for his substitution.

“When I was running off the field, [Besart] Berisha came and ran from around half to come and give me a high five and a hug before I started to run off the field,” he recalls. “As I was running off and did the routine, shaking hands and being congratulated by the coaches and players, I could hear my getting chanted. That gave me goosebumps.

“To have experienced players saying well done as you make your way off, that was very humbling, and the fact that I got a standing ovation in my debut game, I don’t think it happens very often and it was an amazing feeling for me, one that ill never forget.”

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With many players’ careers often remembered – fairly or unfairly – by one defining game or moment, Nigro is intent on ensuring his dream debut is only the beginning of a career full of many more achievements.

Having a taste of the A-League and proving he could compete at the highest level in Australia, the teenager emphasises his gratitude for the opportunity, but refuses to dwell on the game too much, with his sights now set on knuckling down and staking a claim for future senior selection.

“My focus now is to work hard and improve my game because you’ve got to prove you can play at a certain level consistently, and I’m certainly committed to trying my hardest to be a regular in the future, but obviously I’ve got to work hard and be the ultimate professional,” he says.