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.
3. Simon Prestigiacomo - Collingwood (1996-2010) & Leon Davis - Collingwood (2000-2011)
Both Leon Davis and Simon Prestigiacomo became acquainted with heartbreak early in their careers when the were part of the Magpie sides that fell short in 2002 and 2003.
Having produced and up and down season in 2010 after an All-Australian season in 2009, Davis was dropped for the Pies' preliminary final, but after his side walked through to the decider, Davis was brought back for the 2010 Grand Final.
Unfortunately for Davis, the game ended in a draw and 'Neon Leon' received the dreaded phone call from coach Mick Malthouse on the Thursday, saying he was going to be dropped again.
For the betterment of the team, Davis came to training to put his disappointment to bed and missed out on lifting the 2010 Premiership as the Magpies ran over the top of St Kilda to win by 56-points.
Prestigiacomo, who had been an integral part of the Collingwood backline for many years, was struck down with a corked thigh in Round 20 and was going to be 'touch and go' for the finals.
The Thursday before the Grand Final, Malthouse picked โPrestiโ in the starting 22, leaving out Nathan Brown. But having trained through the Thursday session, the stopper knew he wasnโt right.
In a cut-throat sport where players would give their left leg to win a premiership, Prestigiacomo showed selflessness and sacrificed his own September glory by voluntarily ruling himself out.
Although Prestigiacomo will never be a Premiership hero, his selfless act will be remembered throughout history of Grand Final Week for years to come.
