When Jack Elkington rolled up at Lake Wendouree pre-season training unannounced this year the last thing on his mind was being an integral part of a premiership push in the Ballarat Football League.
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Elkington was new to Ballarat, having arrived from Wodonga to study physical education at Federation University Australia.
He was keen to get out and about, and set up a new social network - as well having a game of football.
A friend recommended Lakers, so he rocked up for a run.
Elkington said he was not in the best shape and his expectations were not high, given he had missed the entire 2014 Ovens and Murray league season with osteitis pubis and then run around with the Wodonga reserves last year.
All that changed quickly though for the versatile tall.
After just two games in the reserves, Lake Wendouree coach Gavin Webb called him up to the seniors.
The 20-year-old has not looked back since. He has not missed a game and been a consistent performer in a variety roles.
Lake Wendouree has not had a lot of tall options and Elkington has been able to provide a target in attack or join a mix of players who have filled in as pinch-hitters in the ruck.
"I've loved it. It's not what I expected when I came to the club."
He said as the season had gone on he had grown in confidence and was more than happy to take whatever role was put his way.
Elkington said after the disappointment of the qualifying final loss to Bacchus Marsh, his focus in Sunday's elimination final encounter with Redan would about ensuring he played his role.
"It's not about individuals. It's going to be all about doing what's best for the team," he said.
Lake Wendouree and Redan could not be coming off more contrasting performances.
While Lakers failed to kick a goal after half-time, Redan did not give up a goal in the second half in its elimination final against North Ballarat City.
It is impossible to imagine Lake Wendouree doing the same or the Lions being able to do the same.
Webb has already indicated Lake Wendouree needs to be more adventurous - something which will need to stem from defence. Lakers became too predictable against Bacchus Marsh, but do not expect Ben Taylor, Luke Bucknall, Steve Clifton, Nick Peters and Hayden Cartledge to let that happen again.
Redan was exposed on the spread early by North Ballarat and it will be up to the likes of youngsters Kyle Hayes and Patrick Fitzgibbon help counter this.
Neither Lakers' spearhead Andrew Pitson or any of Redan's prime targets in attack fired in their opening finals. Lake Wendouree can probably cope with this better than the Lions, which are almost certain to have to use Nathan Horbury in a much more attack role this time.