His mate Zeke Banfield encouraged him to have a go at the sport but when he fronted up for his first under 12 training session, his side had plenty of running players.

“They needed a goalkeeper,” Brock said.

“I just did it.”

Fast-forward three years and the teenager is preparing to represent Victoria for the first time.

The 14-year-old is one of two goalies selected in the state under 14 side that faces NSW and ACT combinations at the annual invitation tournament in Melbourne from September 30.

Brock is excited at his chance to represent the state, having taken his fair share of body blows to be part of the final side.

His performances with the South West Country Eagles earlier this year earned him a spot in a training squad of 20 goalies. That number was cut to four and then two. Originally he was placed on standby, before being elevated into the team at the right time.

Brock, who started hockey in Hamilton under the guidance of Zeke’s father Anthony, was goalkeeper in senior competition at the age of 12.

His family relocated to Warrnambool about two years ago and he has been playing in senior and junior competitions with the city’s association, as well as Greensborough in north-west pennant in Melbourne.

Brock said star Warrnambool player Madi Ratcliffe had spent hours training him as he refined his craft.

He is determined to make the most of his latest opportunity, having missed state selection at under 13 and under 15 levels.

Brock hopes the week-long experience will be the start of more representative matches, setting his sights on the under 15 outdoor and indoor sides next year.