He is no guarantee of a start next season but North Queensland's buy of the year Te Maire Martin couldn't be happier ahead of the NRL grand final showdown with Melbourne.
The Cowboys playmaker is pinching himself as he prepares for his first season decider three months after being released by Penrith.
The 21-year-old emerged as the perfect foil for Dally M halfback of the year Michael Morgan in the absence of injured co-captain Johnathan Thurston, sparking an unlikely Cowboys title tilt.
Martin is set to become just the second player in 22 years to win a premiership after a mid-season switch.
But Martin faces an uncertain future in 2018 with Thurston set to return from his shoulder injury and combine with a better-than-ever Morgan in the halves.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I am not too sure yet. I am just happy to be here at the moment," Martin said of next season's options.
"I am happy to play first grade again. I will let that sort itself out next year."
He was initially groomed as Nathan Cleary's halves partner and played the first seven games of the season for the Panthers but was relegated to NSW Cup after just two wins from those matches.
He was released in June, with the Cowboys reportedly only having to pay $50,000 of his wage in the switch.
Martin became priceless when days later Thurston suffered the season-ending shoulder injury.
"I am a big believer in things happening for a reason," Martin said.
"As much as I would have liked to have stayed at Penrith this is what happened.
"I got a second opportunity to come up to the Cowboys and then the injury to JT opened up a window for myself.
"I got kicked out of one place and it opened up a window at another.
"Now I am in a grand final. It's pretty crazy."
The last player to win a premiership after a mid-season switch was Rod Silva, who moved from the Roosters to the Bulldogs in 1995 and lined up in the 17-4 win over Manly in the season decider.
Clint Newton (2007) and Brett Finch (2009) won premierships after switches but their titles were later stripped over the Storm salary cap controversy.
"It's been a rollercoaster year," Martin said.
"Now I am just one win away from winning the trophy - it's ended up being a special year."
Now a firm believer in fate, Martin reckoned it would also smile on overwhelming underdogs North Queensland on Sunday.
"Just the way we have been playing, if we can carry that on in the last game we should be alright," he said.
"Against Melbourne it should just be the same - complete high, kick them in the corners and try and hold them in there.
"We won't get too many opportunities this Sunday so we have got to take them."
