Now he's achieved his long-term goal of making the AFL All-Australian team, Brodie Grundy is aiming big.
The Collingwood ruckman wants to help break their premiership drought, make multiple All-Australian teams and hopefully take the league's No.1 ruck mantle from Melbourne star Max Gawn.
While rapt to be named on the All-Australian interchange bench last week, Grundy quickly re-set his goals.
The 24-year-old is a big believer in visualisation and keeping a watch on his self-talk, noting stars such as former basketballer Kobe Bryant swear by such psychological tools.
So as soon as Grundy made the All-Australian team he was talking to coach Nathan Buckley about what was next.
"The beauty of this environment is we have some players who've been high performers - Pendles (captain Scott Pendlebury), the coach himself," Grundy said.
"I just spoke to him, that was a long-term goal of mine for a number of years and to get there in the end was great, to get that validation.
"For me, the person I am, I'm very competitive.
"I see that as the start for me and if I can add maybe one or two more before my career is done and hopefully a premiership to finish off the year, it would be really nice."
Grundy was asked about being named the All-Australian second ruckman, behind Gawn.
"All Australian is All Australian ... it sounds pretty good," Grundy said.
"Obviously he's a different player to me and the selectors perhaps value his style of play over mine for that starting role.
"I will see that as motivation and continue to get better, hopefully go one better next year."
Grundy will take a leaf out of Gawn's book this Saturday in the qualifying final against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
The injury-depleted Magpies defence will need Grundy to drop back and help, especially given Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are the Eagles' twin spearheads.
"You mention Max Gawn - that's what he definitely does, pushing behind the play," Grundy said.
"It's not something I have front of mind, but we've seen teams require that from their ruckmen."
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