Newly-minted Johnny Warren medallist Josh Nisbet knows he has to get his next career move right, acutely aware he doesn't want to become another cautionary tale in Australian football.
The Central Coast Mariners midfielder capped a trophy-laden 12-month spell on Saturday by collecting the A-League Men's highest individual honour, to go with back-to-back titles, this season's premiership, and the AFC Cup.
The 24-year-old, who won his first Socceroos cap earlier this year and has barely missed a minute for the Gosford club, went to another level during Saturday's grand final to spearhead the Mariners' come-from-behind 3-1 win after extra time.
Off-contract Nisbet is likely to be in high demand, but the diminutive midfielder is mindful his next step has to be the correct one.
"I don't know to be honest," Nisbet said, when quizzed on his future.
"I'm sort of weighing everything up and making sure I do the right move to progress my career.
"I don't know where that'll take me but I'm excited wherever it may be.
"It's got to be a league that suits me. If I were to go overseas I'd need to make sure I get playing time.
"There's no point going if you're just going to come back straight away.
"I feel like I have got to make sure I make a mature, well-calculated step."
Mariners boss Mark Jackson hailed Nisbet's impact on his side's season and hinted he would attempt to twist the midfielder's arm into giving him one more year's service.
"He was all over the place and at the end. He never stops running. What an athlete," Jackson said.
"All the players in the team, and Nizzy is one of them who we want to play at the highest level.
"We'd love him to still be here with us. I need a conversation with him."
Nisbet's next destination will be one of the off-season's hot topics but on the Mariners' crowning night in Gosford, he was upstaged by teammate Ryan Edmondson.
The English forward only arrived in Australia earlier this year but popped up when it mattered most for Jackson to score twice.
His mid-season arrival gave the Mariners crucial goals at the back end of the year which have helped Jackson seal their historic treble.
"I knew he would fit the bill and he was he was keen to come straight away, he showed courage getting on a plane to come across," Jackson said.
"I had him as a 16-year-old at Leeds and he came through and showed his quality tonight."
