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To avoid homesickness, Maverick Weller did not return to his family in chilly Tasmania, he had his family move to the sunny Gold Coast.
The rugged midfielder from Burnie was considered one of the most talented juniors in Australia in 2008, winning the Division 2 player of the Under-16 Championships.
That same year he also played for Tasmania at the Under-18 Championships against boys two years his senior.
It was little surprise when despite missing 2009 with groin and hip problems, GC SUNS used one of their 12 priority picks on players born between January and April, 1992, to snap Weller up.
"Coming from Tasmania where it's not as populated and not as many people playing footy, I think the biggest thing was just learning to play with other good players," Weller said.
"I was lucky enough to play all my junior footy with [GC SUNS teammate] Luke Russell but that was with him and not against him.
"Tassie has got some really good players but coming up here and learning to play against some quality players [was difficult], and in the AFL last year playing against some quality forwards and midfielders."
Spending a year in the VFL with the GC SUNS in 2010, Weller made a solid jump to the AFL, playing 15 of a possible 22 games.
The pre-season has seen gains in both strength and endurance, and also another change in the 19-year-old's life with his family, including younger brother Lachlan, now on the Coast.
"It's just like old times," he said.
"Lachy is playing for the Broadbeach Cats this year and it's good for me having him up, I'm really close with him and being away from my family for a couple of years and now that they're up here, it's going to benefit me."
Weller said his main goal was to be consistent and give himself a chance to play seniors every week.
"We've got a good young list and there's a lot of boys putting their hands up to play and it's definitely motivation to get in the side when you're sitting on the sidelines and playing twos," he said.
"We push each other but we support each other as well."
Gold Coast SUNS starts its NAB Cup against the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on February 25.
