In the dark, dark days, when South Sydney struggled to win a handful of games a season, captain John Sutton admits there were times he thought he would never play an NRL grand final in Rabbitohs colours.
Sutton this week has been praised by chief executive Shane Richardson, superstar fullback Greg Inglis and forward enforcer Sam Burgess as the heart and soul of a Souths side on the brink of their first premiership win in 43 years.
But given the tough times he has endured at Redfern since his first grade career began in 2004, the 29-year-old isn't ready yet to reflect on just how far Souths have come since they were omitted from the NRL competition for the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
"Not really, I have just been getting excited about this week, everything is focused on this week and making sure I get the most out of it and prepare well for the game," Sutton told AAP ahead of Sunday's decider against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.
"Back then we weren't playing in the finals, so I didn't think I would be playing finals footy or playing in the grand final.
"But ever since 'Madge' (coach Michael Maguire) has been here we have played in the finals every year and I knew that we had a good enough team here to push to the grand final.
"We have been playing well the last few weeks, we just have to make sure we keep that up on Sunday."
Sutton was a part of Jason Taylor's side that qualified for Souths' first final series in 18 years in 2007, but had to wait for Maguire's arrival in 2012 to again experience playoffs rugby league.
As a result he is taking nothing for granted.
"I'm excited, I've been playing for this club for a long time," he said.
"The last couple of years we never quite got there, but we are all feeling good about it. It is good to be here.
"We have to enjoy this week but when it comes to training we will be fully focused.
"I am just going to enjoy this week, get the most out of it and be sure I'm ready on game day.
"There is a lot that goes into winning a grand final, we haven't achieved anything yet."
THE RISE OF REDFERN: SOUTH SYDNEY'S NRL FINISHES SINCE RE-ADMISSION
2002: 14th/15 teams (5 wins) - wooden spooners Canterbury were docked 37 premiership points due to salary cap breaches
2003: Wooden spoon (3 wins)
2004: Wooden spoon (5 wins)
2005: 13th/15 (5 wins)
2006: Wooden spoon (3 wins)
2007: 7th/16 (12 wins) - finals week one
2008: 14th/16 (8 wins)
2009: 10th/16 (11 wins)
2010: 9th/16 (11 wins)
2011: 10th/16 (11 wins)
2012: 3rd/16 (16 wins) - finals week three
2013: 2nd/16 (18 wins) - finals week three
2014: 3rd/16 (15 wins) grand final v Canterbury
Share
