Normally at this time of year Jeremy Howe is on the way to Bali, or about to catch up with family.
But for the first time since his AFL debut in 2011 the high-flying Collingwood defender, who has been sidelined by quad surgery, can think about finals.
Howe's 158-game finals drought is the fourth-longest among current players and it ends in Saturday week's qualifying final against West Coast.
"The season has been done and dusted probably by about round 18 for me normally," he said.
"It's good to be alive. It's an exciting time and I'm in uncharted waters."
Howe played 100 games for Melbourne before starting at Collingwood two years ago.
Melbourne are in the finals for the first time since 2006 and the Magpies have not featured in September since 2013.
Howe also has been out of action since suffering a serious leg injury in the round-20 loss to Richmond which required an operation to remove a haematoma.
"I feel like I'm back to normal. I'm not in pain getting out of bed, which is handy. It's a good feeling to have, seeing as I'm only 28."
Howe will not play in the VFL this weekend, but has no doubts about being ready for the Eagles.
"I have faith in the program, that what I've been able to do, I still have the foundations of fitness to play," he said.
Collingwood has had a rotten run with injury this season and the backline in particular has been hard-hit.
But Howe said their defensive system will hold up against the Eagles' key forwards, Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.
"We don't rely on one bloke to try and lock down, we want to work together and try to avoid those one v ones," he said.
Tyson Goldsack could also bolster the defence as he continues his speedy return from a knee reconstruction.
Howe had a busy Thursday by attending a Salvation Army charity lunch before a leadership session where greats Gavin Crosisca, Paul Licuria and Nick Maxwell addressed the playing group.
"It was good to touch base with them, learn a bit of the past, the present and potentially a bit of advice for the future," he said.
MOST VFL/AFL GAMES WITHOUT A FINAL
Trevor Barker (St Kilda) 230
Geoff Cunningham (St Kilda) 224
Gary Hardeman (Melbourne) 219
Steven Smith (Melbourne) 203
Ted Pool (Hawthorn) 200
Bert Mills (Hawthorn) 196
CURRENT PLAYERS
Lynden Dunn (Melbourne/Collingwood) 196
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane/Port Adelaide) 172
Jack Watts (Melbourne/Port Adelaide) 172
Jeremy Howe (Melbourne/Collingwood) 158
Stefan Martin (Melbourne/Brisbane) 158
