SUCH has been Max Bailey's journey in football, he's happy to be playing at all - let alone in a Grand Final.
 
The Hawthorn ruckman's story is well known: three knee reconstructions in his first four years in the AFL, restricting him to just six games between 2006 and 2010, and keeping him out of the 2008 premiership team.
 
Then, just when his career seemed to be gathering momentum, a wrist injury sidelined him for the first half of 2012, and he never regained his spot – watching another Grand Final from the stands.
 
On Saturday, Bailey will finally get his chance on the last Saturday in September, when the Hawks face Fremantle.
 
It will be his first Grand Final at any level and, adding to the occasion, his battle with Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands shapes as pivotal.
 
Speaking to AFL.com.au on the eve of the Grand Final, the relaxed 26-year-old admitted there were times, during the long hours in rehab, where he thought his day might never come.
 
"It was a goal just to get back to playing, so to be able to reach this stage is highly satisfying," Bailey said.
 
"I guess after watching '08 and the boys doing so well, and then we didn't get back there for a while – maybe there were times when I thought my opportunity had passed.
 
"But I'm bloody glad we're back here now."
 
To put Bailey's struggles into perspective, it's worth comparing his games tally with that of teammate Grant Birchall, who was selected four picks earlier in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.
 
Saturday will be Birchall's 169th appearance in the brown and gold. For Bailey, it will be game No.43.
 
"What he's had to endure over the eight years he's been at the club has been pretty big, so to see him get an opportunity to play in a Grand Final tomorrow is great," Birchall said on Friday.
 
"His resilience is unbelievable.
 
"He's so professional in the way he goes about it, and to stay upbeat the way he has over the last few years has been phenomenal.
 
"Full credit to him – we couldn't be happier for him and he deserves every success."
 
To win his place back in the team this year, Bailey had to impress with his own form, but also hope coach Alastair Clarkson would be sold on a structure that would see him playing alongside both David Hale and Jarryd Roughead.
 
As it turned out, things worked out beautifully.
 
Not only did Bailey's presence at centre bounces give his midfielders a better chance of getting first hands on the ball, Roughead's freedom from ruck duties propelled him to a first Coleman Medal.
 
"Alastair Clarkson has been a big supporter of mine, and probably more than I have realised," Bailey said.
 
"He wanted me in the team, and the balance was always going to be a bit of an issue, but we showed early in the season that it worked, and we've been able to stick with it."
 
The West Australian has managed 18 games this season, admitting he still faced a week-to-week battle to get on the field, given the ongoing issues with his knees.
 
This week against Sandilands he faces his toughest, and most important, assignment of the season.
 
Bailey has not come up against the Fremantle giant since his very first senior game - way back in round 18, 2006 - but he is conscious of the task ahead.
 
"He's a formidable opponent, but I'm pretty confident in what I can do," he said.
 
"I'm probably not going to win as many taps, but hopefully I can nullify him a bit and do some stuff around the ground that will mean I impact the game."