Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins admitted he was "completely shot" and couldn't run 10 metres during the 2017 Grand Final.
The key forward had just three kicks and seven disposals in the defeat to the Tigers.
Jenkins entered the game in fine form, kicking 45 goals in 20 games that year.
The 29-year-old said the week leading up to the grand final had drained him.
โI was completely shot already. At the start of the week I was like where is all the fanfare? This is just a really normal week,โ Jenkins told Fox Footyโs AFL 360 last night.
โThen we had our open training. Then you arrive into Melbourne and it hits you like a storm. Thereโs cameras everywhere and it is really busy and the hotel is really busy and thereโs security everywhere."
โWe took the mantra of lets enjoy it, we might not get here again. By the time the game came around I was completely spent; I had just spun my wheels all week, hoping that things were going to go well and just waiting for everything to happen."
โBy the time I ran out there I was completely shot, I couldnโt run from here to ten metres away because emotionally Iโd spent all my energy. Iโve seen parts of the game and I think to myself, โjust run, youโre not movingโ.โ
Jenkins said he had learned from the experience and will be better prepared should he reach another grand final in his career.
โMy greatest lesson is for next time... if there is a next time... donโt get caught up in, โjeez, I hope I play well, I hope we get to hold up that cupโ."
"Just continue to do the things you did for the 24 weeks building into it."
