"I played there for 14 years until I transferred to Melbourne Croatia," he explained.

"All my development was at Moreland Zebras, which at the time was Brunswick Juventus, that was my first-ever club, the first ever trophy I received was at Juventus at the time. The people that are there I know very well, they know me.

"It’s always to come back and give as mych as you can. This is my third year now, it’s been good. I’ve got great people behind me."

De Amicis went on to have a great career in the NSL and earn his debut for the Socceroos in 1998.

After hanging up his boots in 2005, he has served as an assistant coach at Richmond and coached the reserves at Bulleen Lions.

At the Zebras the 51-year-old, who played under Ange Postecoglou, has employed a possession-based, attacking-focused playing style and has been unafraid to blood young players such as 17-year-old Lucien Ibanda.

"It’s something I’ve really installed into the players is to keep the ball as much as we can and enjoy the football," he said.

"We want to attack, keep the ball and keep moving it around. We've been using some 19-year-old wingers. I give them an opportunity, you need to make the right rotations. As long as they understand what the team rules are.

"These boys fit the mould. I encourage them to play the ball. Lucien - he’s a great boy. He’s got a very clean head, likes to play football. He positions himself well, watches the game well. I’ve played him as a right back and he’s fitted in very well.

"He's showed a lot of professionalism, a lot of maturity."

With a second-division competition beneath the A-League on the cards for Australian football, De Amicis would cherish the chance to be a part of it.