In a season of state league players come good, Brody Mihocek's story takes some beating.
This time last year, Mihocek was wrapping up his fourth VFL season, where he'd earned a reputation as a reliable key defender at Werribee, then Port Melbourne.
He'd not had a sniff at the big time since winning the Tasmanian State League with the Burnie Dockers and a crack at training with Essendon's reserves as a 20-year-old.
But a VFL premiership with the Borough caught the attention of Collingwood's recruiting staff, who were interested in the soon-to-be 25-year-old.
"I knew they were watching a few games but didn't really think much of it," he told AAP.
"I finished the season and just went on with normal life.
"A week before the rookie draft is when I first had contact.
"The day of the draft they made a guarantee I'd be on the list but I still didn't want to get my hopes up so I didn't tell anyone.
"I went about my own business but luckily I saw my name being read out."
Rookie listed by the Magpies, he threw in his warehouse job and jumped into his AFL career.
But another curveball was coming, courtesy of Collingwood's coaches.
"I was doing OK as a backman. At least I thought so," he said.
"They maybe had concerns about Ben Reid with his body and basically they wanted to try me out.
"They were running low on forwards at that time.
"I played six quarters in the VFL as a forward and got my opportunity."
That was 12 matches and 23 goals ago.
Game 13 will be in an AFL qualifying final against West Coast at Optus Stadium, having helped AFL heavyweights Collingwood into third place.
Mihocek's not taking his place in the team for granted - how could he?
But such is his form, coach Nathan Buckley couldn't omit the Cooee big man.
If Mihocek had replicated that form across a 22-game season, he'd be the club's leading goalkicker and knocking on the door of the league's top 10.
He'll most likely get that chance next year.
For now, he's determined to keep playing his role and soak in all that September throws his way.
"The whole buzz around the club is just awesome ... you definitely feel the tension around the place. Everyone is excited," he said.
"Everyone is excited to travel to Perth and hopefully knock West Coast off and go into a prelim."
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