Cam Peupion's 'crazy couple of weeks' culminating in Premier League debut
Cam Peupion enters Olyroos camp after what has been undoubtedly the biggest month of his career to date.
The up-and-coming attacker recently became the 55th Australian to play in the Premier League era, after being handed his Brighton & Hove Albion league debut at St James' Park on May 18.
His maiden appearance came after he was named amongst the substitutes for Brighton's huge wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, capping off an unforgettable few weeks for the 20-year-old which also saw him named the Premier League 2 Play of the Month for April.
"It's been a crazy last couple of weeks, going from playing 21's football to making my debut in the Premier League," Peupion shared as he joined Olyroos camp at the AIS European Training Centre in Varese, Italy.
"I'd been working away in the background, trying to play well and in the second team, had a good season, scoring a couple of goals."
Despite Peupion's humble explanation, he did not just score a couple of goals.
A tally of six goals and three assists in five matches of PL2 action, including fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, is what helped springboard him into contention for a first team call-up.
The former Sydney FC academy product tells the entertaining story of how that first call-up came about; in very last-minute nature.
"We were playing Man United at home and I got a call late, about two-and-a-half hours before the game," he recalls.
"I was just at home chillin' and someone called me to say, get yourself down to the stadium!"
"So I raced around my room, grabbed a tracksuit, jumped in the car and got to the stadium.
"I didn't really have time to let it sink in that I was on the bench against Man United, in a game which we won last minute as Alexis scored a penalty.
"All of the boys were so nice, saying you'll definitely remember that one because it was a crazy experience."
While he did not step onto the pitch until a few weeks later, the moment arrived for Peupion as was introduced as a late substitute with Brighton chasing a goal away at Newcastle.
He reveals it did not come completely out of the blue - a chat with manager Roberto De Zerbi the day prior handed the Aussie a hint that his debut may have just been on the cards.
"I got the nod from the gaffer the day before against Newcastle that there was a chance I'd go on," he shared.
"He pulled me off to training and just said 'look, no pressure, but I think you're going to play tomorrow, so come on and just be ready.'
"Obviously I was buzzing. I didn't know if I was going to come on or not, but I felt like I was ready - and yeah, it happened.
"It's every boy's dream and something I've been dreaming about since I was very little, so just stoked that it has happened."
Peupion credits his recent rise to a "good run of form and confidence", where he has been able to fulfil his personal targets of adding more goals and assists to his game.
It's an infectious feeling that he is keen to now transfer into a Green and Gold shirt, as a member of Australia's squad for the upcoming Maurice Revello Tournament in France.
With French heritage, and family members based in Paris who will be watching on from the stands, it is shaping as another special experience for the boy from Sydney's Northern Beaches.
"I think every opportunity you get to represent your country is special and the boys are all top lads, it's a special environment," Peupion reflected.
"I always love any opportunity to hear an Aussie accent and see the boys I haven't seen in a long time, and I'm looking forward to the games.
"Talking to coaches and people at Brighton about it, they know that it's quite a special tournament and wished me all the best.
"I think we're really lucky to be part of it, and we're hoping to do quite well - that's what we're here for."
The Subway Olyroos play their first match at the Maurice Revello Tournament in France on Tuesday, 6 June.
Head Coach Tony Vidmar announced his 23-player squad in mid-May, along with five train-on players for the pre-camp in Italy, where one will be selected as the final member for the 24-strong squad closer to the tournament's commencement.
How to watch
All group stage matches involving Australia will be LIVE on ESPN, Channel 509 on Foxtel, while all other group stage matches (including Australia's) plus the semi-finals and final will be streamed LIVE via the WatchESPN App.
Subway Olyroos’ Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Group B Schedule
Qatar v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 6 June 2023
Venue: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny, Aubagne
Kick-off: 2:00pm local, 10:00pm (AEST)
Australia v Togo
Date: Friday, 9 June 2023
Venue: Stade d'Honneur, Mallemort
Kick-off: 2:00pm local, 10:00pm (AEST)
Mexico v Australia
Date: Monday, 12 June 2023
Venue: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny, Aubagne
Kick-off: 2:00pm local, 10:00pm (AEST)
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Ranking Matches – Schedule
2.00pm (local), Thursday, 14 June: 11th vs 12th and 7th vs 8th at Arles & Miramas
6.00pm (local), Thursday, 14 June: 9th vs 10th and 5th vs 6th at Arles & Miramas
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Semi-Finals – Schedule
2.30pm (local) Friday, 15 June: Semi-Final #1 at Salon
6.00pm (local) Friday, 15 June: Semi-Final #2 at Salon
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Finals – Schedule
2.30pm (local) Sunday, 18 June: 3rd vs 4th at Salon
6.00pm (local) Sunday, 18 June: Final at Salon
A championship system will be in operation for this tournament, where each team is playing for three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a defeat. In the event of a tie at the end of a match, a penalty shoot-out will be held. The team that wins the penalty shoot-out will receive an additional point in the ranking.