Neville Jetta is the sort of hard-nut AFL defender who thinks of bruises and sore spots as proof he's doing his job properly.
The Melbourne backman came out of last Friday's elimination final win over Geelong with a sore shoulder, but is in no doubt for the semi-final against Hawthorn.
Jetta brushed it off, saying he has had three shoulder surgeries in his time with the Demons, and that an awkward landing in the match tweaked an old problem.
"Being 180 centimetres and playing down back and trying to cover players here and there, I've probably come off second best," he said.
"But that's part of my role and if I don't feel like I've come off sore or bruised then I don't feel like I've played my role to the best of my ability.
"Obviously playing in September and winning in September, it definitely helps the pain and bruises - they go away pretty quick once the siren goes."
Jetta is one of the Demons at the heart of their resurgence.
He was delisted at the end of 2013, only for new coach Paul Roos to offer him a lifeline on their rookie list.
The defender famously grasped his last chance and has become one of their most reliable players.
Apart from relishing his first finals series after 10 seasons in the AFL, there is a strong family element to this month for Jetta.
His cousin Lewis kicked a massive goal for West Coast late in their pulsating qualifying final win over Collingwood.
If Melbourne beat Hawthorn, the two Jettas will play in the same final for the first time.
"He's as hungry as ever and to watch him be able to kick that goal the other night, it was awesome to see," Neville said.
Before Neville can think of taking on Lewis, the Hawks this Friday night are a tough assignment.
Hawthorn mauled Melbourne by 67 points in round four and Jetta has bad memories of too much running as their defence was torn open.
"I do remember that day. I feel like I was turned into a 100m sprinter, running from our half-forward back to our goalsquare," he said.
"We did it on numerous occasions - as a defender, that's a vulnerable position."
Jetta thinks he had to do six or seven of those long sprints during the Hawthorn match.
Asked how many he has to do in a game where Melbourne are defending well, he replied "none".P
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