That's the situation Ben Smith has found himself in this season after the two competitions he previously committed to shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was a pre-season game against Wagga City Wanderers that planted the seed about joining the club.

Fast forward six months and Smith will line up for the Wanderers in their first ever senior final against Queanbeyan in Canberra on Sunday.

It has not been uncommon for Smith to travel more than 1000 kilometres a week as part of his commitment to the Wanderers but he does not regret it for a minute.

"It's just the thing I love doing, there's nothing else I'd be rather doing in my life," Smith said.

"By any means necessary I'm prepared to travel the distance to training, twice a week, do all that just to play really. I just love it.

"I'm not sick of (the travel), just more got used to it. Instead of waiting for it to finish, I just know when it's going to finish and I'm just used to it now. It feels like another drive."

It has already been a big week for the 17-year-old. On Thursday, he had his last day of school at The Scots School Albury before exams begin.

But finding the time to juggle study and soccer has not caused Smith any issues.

"I've definitely found the balance, that's not something I've struggled with," he said.

"I had trials a few weeks ago and had to miss out on one session because I had an exam the day after but apart from that it's been good.

"Babs is completely understanding of it all and when I told him I had to practice for my trials he was completely aware and completely understood it all."

Smith was initially set to continue with Murray United this season, then joined Boomers FC in the Albury competition before it was shut down as well.

He then made the decision to join Wanderers, where he started in under 23s before forcing his way into the senior team last month.

"I knew from playing against them in pre-season that they were going to be good. They didn't have their full senior side but rocking up to their first training session I knew there was obviously going to be a bit about," he said.

"There's no real doubt in my mind that I wanted to go there, it's the only team I really know in Wagga but I know the NPL system, and hearing they were in the NPL Capital League, I just knew it was a standard that I wanted to play at.

"If I had to work to get into the seniors I would, if I was just staying in the 23s I would, I wasn't going to the club with any expectations, I was just happy to be playing. Luckily enough, Babs saw enough in me and hopefully I've got the trust of the boys to have me in the senior team."

Smith, who lines up on the right wing, is confident the Wanderers can down Queanbeyan and move through to the grand final.

"I feel quite positive about the way that we are because the way we lined up and the way we played against them last time, we definitely could have given more," he said.

"We all know that and we've all said that but this week I feel like we've got nothing to lose. They've got their pride on the line, they have beaten us so can go out there and really show how we can play because when we play our best, we're untouchable.

"We deserve to be in that top four and I feel like this week is going to be the week we show it."

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