Rhys Tippett was not expecting to push for another round of 32 FFA Cup appearance when he returned to football with second-tier club Kahibah late last year.
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The 34-year-old, though, believes he can do just that on Saturday.
Kahibah, ninth in Northern League One, take on NPL club Valentine from 10am at Speers Point. It is the first of four final-eight NNSW Cup games on the synthetic pitch on Saturday. The winners play off at least two days later for the two NNSW spots in the nationwide round of 32.
The only non-NPL Hunter team still in the draw, Kahibah have already defied the odds. Tippett scored twice when they downed NPL club Adamstown 3-0 and once when they came from behind to beat Cessnock 5-4 late in extra-time.
He believed the young Kahibah line-up could rise to the occasion again.
"I think we are a chance against Valentine," Tippett said. "Obviously it's going to be tough but if you roll Adamstown 3-0, you've got something about you.
"If we apply ourselves on the day, we're a good chance."
The 2008 NNSW State League player of the year is no stranger to the Cup's big stage. He twice played in the round of 32 with Broadmeadow and once with Lambton Jaffas.
His runs included scoring the winner for Jaffas against Hamilton in 2016 to make the national draw and a double for Magic in victory over Edgeworth in 2014 to make State Cup finals.
"The FFA Cup has been good to me. I've scored a few goals," he said.
"I can't wait for tomorrow. Truthfully, you don't really think you are going to get there with a Northern League One team so it's pretty nice to be doing it again."
Tippett said he was "tossing up giving it away" after the 2017 season with Jaffas but was enjoying his return with Kahibah.
"I couldn't stay away and I live right next to the ground so it was a logical option for me," he said. "I can train less and focus more on the family, so I'm really enjoying it.
"It's a fantastic club. None of the players are paid, which for me is really refreshing. It just shows that everyone is there because they love it."
He said Heath Kepreotes, Jamie Hadlow and Asher Beasley were key men for Kahibah.
Coach Andre Gumprecht said "it's the biggest game in the club's history" and a chance to show their potential as they strive to join the NPL ranks.
"We want to be a top club on and off the field," Gumprecht said. "Having a taste of what that means is a fantastic opportunity."
Valentine co-coach Sam Griffin was wary of Kahibah.
"Gumprecht will have all their ducks in a row," Griffin said. "They are going to be prepared and there's not too many of their games you can find footage of, so they are a bit of an unknown, which makes them dangerous."
Maitland take on North Coast's Boambee from 12.30pm, Hamilton play Far North Coast side Bangalow at 3pm and Edgeworth meet Broadmeadow from 5.30pm.
Edgeworth and Broadmeadow are the most accomplished NNSW clubs in the Cup, making the round of 32 three and four times respectively and the round of 16 once each.