Nathan Djerrkura played just his fourth AFL game on Sunday against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

Of those four games only one has not been interstate - the others being in Brisbane, Perth (against West Coast) and at Etihad Stadium (on debut against Essendon).

But it is no surprise that that the softly-spoken midfielder says the travel doesn’t worry him.

Djerrkura is from Gove in Arnhem Land, a 14-hour drive from Darwin, although a 40-minute flight is a quicker option.

Sunday wasn’t a high-possession match (11) for Djerrkura, but he still showed signs that he has the game to have an impact.

His tackling, ferocity at the contest and spirit is definitely ‘the Geelong way’.

His debut against the Bombers in round 10, 2009, saw him lay nine crunching tackles and he backed that up with five more the following week against the Eagles at Subiaco Oval.

However, given the side’s strength in the midfield, Djerrkura must bide his time.

“At times (its tough being on the fringes), but I just look at it as a way just to learn stuff off the other players, because it is a really talented bunch of boys so I just try and learn as much as I can,” he said.

“And whenever I’m playing in the seniors I just try and put as much pressure as I can on the opposition.”

Just making it to the AFL is an awesome achievement for Djerrkura, who came to Melbourne as a teenager to board at Scotch College for the final two years of school. He soon found a friend in fellow Northern Territorian, Cyril Rioli.

“I was a year older than Cyril but he actually helped me settle in because he was there for a couple of years before me,” Djerrkura said.

“It was pretty crazy, it was the first time I put a suit on. I ended up wearing if for most of the year.”

He also found himself a part of a handy Scotch College football team alongside current AFL-listed players Rioli (Hawthorn), Nick Smith (Sydney) and Ed Barlow (Sydney).

And the season’s big match pitted his side against Tom Hawkins’ Melbourne Grammar.

“It was a pretty big match between Scotch and Melbourne Grammar. We had a match called the Cordner-Eggleston Cup which was huge,” Djerrkura said.

“You’d get a few thousand there which was pretty big for a school match.

“We beat them both years I was there which was pretty good.”

Melbourne’s private school scene was a far cry from his early days, kicking around on the Gove Peninsula.

“There are grass fields, some weekends (we’d wear boots) some weekends (we’d) just go out and run around in bare feet.

“It’s a totally different world up there compared to the big city. Everyone goes to work every day but its pretty laid back up there.”

Although his mum has moved to Darwin, his siblings are still there and Gove will always be home to Djerrkura.

Geelong has also developed a close relationship with the community through the Cats indigenous program.

David Wojcinski, Ryan Gamble, Trent West and Tom Gillies spent time in Gove and Groote Eylandt in November, along with assistant coach Nigel Lappin.

Player development manager Ron Watt coordinates the program which aims to increase school attendance and enthusiasm for education in indigenous children through footy as well as provide a unique opportunity for Geelong players.

Those lucky enough to experience Gove, can understand why Djerrkura has a different priority once the season finishes.

“I don’t go on footy trips, I just head straight home after the season,” he said.