The more Angus Thurgate wrestles with his nickname the tighter it will cling.
Dubbed the "Port Macquarie Pele" by his Newcastle Jets teammates, the 19-year-old will find it even more difficult to keep a low profile after stunning his coach and opponents in the side's 6-1 demolition of the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.
Before his composed performance at Suncorp Stadium, Thurgate had played less than 20 A-League games.
But in just his second start, Thurgate's attack on the ball, sharp vision and efficient distribution had him looking more like a 10-season veteran than a teenaged midfielder.
"He's embarrassed because they call him the Port Macquarie Pele. It's a slight exaggeration," coach Ernie Merrick said.
"He was outstanding. He looked like a senior player.
"When I've brought him off the bench he's always done a job but tonight I thought he ran the show."
Despite the club's failure to reach the finals, Thurgate, Ivan Vujica, Johnny Koutroumbis and Joey Champness are the green shoots of brighter times ahead for the new Newcastle.
That is in stark contrast to the gloom surrounding the Brisbane Roar which is unlikely to lift before the club's future is given some direction by announcing the next coach.
Interim coach Darren Davies has been fighting to keep spirits up in a season damaged by poor performances, injuries and suspensions.
But he has conceded the delay in appointing a long-term boss is affecting the players.
"They're hurting. They're early in their careers," he said.
"Everybody knows the situation we're in.
"Only then (when a coach is appointed) can we look to move forward."