He didn't like it at the time but West Coast forward Josh Kennedy is now thanking his lucky stars that he was part of the famous Chris Judd trade.
Kennedy was just 20 when he was reluctantly traded from Carlton to West Coast at the end of 2007.
The move allowed then-West Coast captain Judd to move to the Blues.
Kennedy wasn't the only one who didn't want the trade to go ahead.
West Coast players at the time were upset that they had lost their skipper in exchange for what Sam Butler described as a "pudgy" forward.
The Eagles also gained pick No.3 out of the deal, which they used to snare premiership wingman Chris Masten.
During his first footy trip with his new Eagles teammates, Kennedy was assigned a t-shirt that had 'Worst Trade Ever' written on the back.
Kennedy, who hails from WA, has since made a mockery of that phrase.
The 31-year-old is now West Coast's record goalkicker, and he booted three crucial goals in the five-point grand final win over Collingwood at the MCG.
"I look back on it now and think, 'Yeah, I'm lucky enough to be part of that trade and get home, and be able to look at my medal right now'," Kennedy said on Monday.
More than 40,000 fans greeted the Eagles at a homecoming ceremony in Perth on Sunday.
Eagles players are set to continue their premiership celebrations this week.
Dom Sheed entered AFL folklore on Saturday by kicking the match-winning goal from deep in the pocket.
Kennedy couldn't believe Sheed went for the traditional drop punt from such a tight angle.
"In my head I couldn't believe he wasn't snapping it," Kennedy told Perth radio station 6PR.
"I was going, 'Dom, why aren't you snappng this? You're a left-footer'.
"But he backed himself in ... and it was a beautiful kick.
"He won us the game, which is fantastic for Dom, who's had an up and down year.
"He broke into the side late and was able to find some form in the finals, and when it mattered most he took his opportunity."
