It is a sad fact of professional soccer life, but for the vast majority of the Melbourne City team who won the 2014-15 National Youth League championship at the weekend, the triumph will probably be a career highlight.
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The wastage rate in all sports is high, with far fewer elite young players making it to the top than many might expect.
So if City get a couple of players who go on to become first-team squad members – or even better, first-team regulars – from the crop who won the championship in nail-biting fashion in Newcastle, City's coaching staff will consider it a success.
A handful were taken on City's mid-season training trip to Dubai while the Asian Cup was being staged here, but that does not guarantee anything.
"If one or two come through and end up being in the senior team, we would be pleased," says Joe Palatsides, City's youth team coach.
"There is a huge gulf between youth team football and the A–League, and not that many manage the transition.
"That doesn't take away from their achievement in winning this trophy and we hope that they can all continue their development and continue in the game. There are some talented boys in the group, but the reality is that they can't all make it into the A-League."
Without a viable second-tier professional league, many will, inevitably, fall by the wayside.
Some who do not make it into City's first-team squad will play in the NPL Victoria, where some players can earn decent money. But they will not be full-time professionals.
If they impress in the NPL, they may attract attention from A-League clubs.
But they will have plenty of ground to make up, not least in terms of fitness and conditioning, if they are to make the most of any lifeline they are thrown.
