That dream involves running his own beef farm in the Western District.

It would be busy but rewarding work.

His outlet? Football.

Serra, 19, is working towards achieving the best results in both those pursuits.

The Yangery-based teenager works at Bade and Ness Rural in Warrnambool and is completing an agronomy degree through Longerenong College.

He's kicking goals on the field too, earning his Hampden league senior debut with powerhouse Koroit.

The defender will run out at against Cobden at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Serra, who graduated from Emmanuel College in 2017, said working at Bade and Ness had helped build his rural knowledge.

"I have worked here about 18 months now," he said.

"I just like farming, it interests me and working with the guys here we're doing a lot of different sorts of things like trial work.

"I worked here when I was at school part-time and my bosses Roger (Bade) and Brad (Ness) asked what I wanted to do in the future and now they're helping me study as well."

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Serra started his football down the road from his Raglan Parade work site, kicking the ball around at Dennington.

He moved to Koroit three years ago but has battled injuries which have stalled his progress.

"I had mates there and I also wanted to test my footy and see how far I could go with it and that seemed like the best place," Serra said.

"I had chronic back injuries last year but I am starting to get on top of it now and I did my AC joint early in the year so I missed a few games through that."

Serra had enjoyed solid form in the Saints' reserves before senior coach Chris McLaren told him of his promotion at training on Thursday night.

"I was pretty excited. I've been working to try and get there but it's a pretty hard team to get into," he said of the five-time reigning premier.

"He came up to me when I was having tea and just said 'congratulations' and then said it in front of everyone."

Serra will slot into a settled Koroit back six which features experienced players such as Dallas Mooney, Ben Dobson, Tim McPherson and Tim Martin.

"It is going to be good to play with them lads, they've been playing a long time and have a lot of experience so it will be good to learn off them," he said.

"Everyone always wants to help out if you ask something and even if you don't ask they will just tell you little pointers to help your game."

The Saints have told Serra to back himself in.

"I like to try and run off when I can, attack and spread, but I will just try and beat my man first," he said.

"I reckon I am going to have to work pretty hard to stay in the team but I am just happy to get a crack at it to start with."

Koroit is coming off a one-point loss to North Warrnambool Eagles.

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