Sydney rookie Harrison Marsh could see his omission from Saturday's AFL grand final coming.
With captain Jarrad McVeigh and Rising Star winner Callum Mills cleared to return from injury and Aliir Aliir (knee) the only forced exclusion, 22-year-old Marsh was first in line to make way after holding his spot for the past four games.
The least experienced player in the Swans' preliminary final side, Marsh certainly didn't disgrace himself but couldn't do enough to keep his spot.
"It's not easy. I sort of could see it coming a little bit with obviously Millsy and Macca coming back in," he said at Friday's grand final parade.
"I knew probably at the start of the week and just had to wait until Macca passed his fitness test.
"Obviously, it's a grand final. I'd love to be playing it. At the same time, I understand what goes on and you just have to deal with it."
Marsh spent three years on the Swans' list without playing a senior game before earning a call up in round 10 after strong form in the NEAFL.
Named as an emergency, Marsh remains an outside chance of playing in the unlikely event McVeigh or Mills pull up sore in the lead up to Saturday's game.
The unlucky defender says he'll do his best to stay positive for his teammates despite his disappointment at missing out on the grand final.
"I'm going to really enjoy the next couple of days and hopefully we get the win tomorrow," he said.
"We've got a good list and you can always hope for a grand final in the next couple of years."
