Every childโs dream is to play on that one day in September.
The bubbling desire for glory is the petrol that fuels all teams and players.
Players like 426-game Hawthorn star Michael Tuck have been fortunate enough to win seven premierships, while other players like St Kilda Legend Trevor Barker, didnโt even get to run out in a final across his 230-game career.
*Editor's note: This article was originally written the week before the 2021 AFL Grand Final.
The Nathan Jones story is a particularly heart-breaking one. Captain for six-years, three-time Keith โBlueyโ Truscott Medallist, 302 games, 198 losses and one admirable decision to fly home back to Melbourne and be with his wife for the birth of twins. A choice that is likely to leave a lump in the throat of any footy lover.
As a man who did so much for a club when they needed a leader, Jones now wonโt be able to join in the potential success of breaking the 57-year drought he worked his backside to topple.
Sport is unquestionably hard, and that is why we love it.
Only a matter of days before one club tastes September glory, we are looking at some of the unluckiest grand final stories in history, and the players behind them.
4. Jaymie Graham - West Coast (2005-2008)
After two games in 2005, Jaymie Graham became 'Mr. Dependable' for the West Coast Eagles during 2006 by playing in 24 games.
Although the Western Australian was dropped after the Eagles one-point qualifying final loss to Sydney, Graham was again called upon in the preliminary final against Adelaide, collecting had 19 disposals and five rebounds with the Eagles came back from a 22-point deficit at half-time to overrun the Crows.
Graham was unlucky to be dropped for the Grand Final, as David Wirrapunda, who also played 24 games in 2006, came back from a niggle in the prelim' to take his spot for the decider.
Unshaken by the news, Graham who became an integral part of the Eagles coaching staff in their 2018 Premiership, knows now as a coach, the importance of picking the right team.
