The prominent defender played in Darley’s groundbreaking 2015 premiership side – seven years after feeling the pain of a grand final loss in 2008 as a 17-year-old.

The latter is an experience he does not want to go through again – this time against Bacchus Marsh at Mars Stadium on Saturday.

Leonard, 26, said the premiership of two years ago had been the most satisfying day of his football career, which began at Melton South while he was still in primary school.

He soon found himself at Darley, laying the foundation to what is now 175-plus senior games with the Devils.

There is a real sense of achievement at Darley this year, having come off the disappointment of last season when it struggled on the back of an historic first BFL flag.

For Leonard, it was disappointing at a team level and in a personal sense, with him breaking an ankle mid-season as injuries took a toll on the Devils. Ironically it was against Bacchus Marsh

“It just didn’t happen.”

Leonard says the club has taken on completely new look inwardly since the arrival of Heath Scotland as coach.

“There’s a new level of professionalism and expectations – at training and on game day.

“The club’s flying.”

Leonard said not only was Scotland inspirational as a coach, but also as a player. He leads by example.”

Leonard is personally in a good space.

He said putting in some hard work meant he was fit as ever.

Leonard said it was “very special” to be going into another grand final.

He said having had to wait so long between grand finals previously made him appreciate this opportunity much more.

Leonard said when you were 17 years of age you always imagine there would  be another chance, but it was not always the case.

Such has been the player turnover in two years, Leonard is one of nine players from the 2015 premiership team lining up in Saturday’s grand final, when he was among the better players.

He joins Leigh Spiteri, Shane Page, Rhys Ellis, Jake Ancrum, Luke Delahey, Luther Baker, Jacob Zeestraten and Harley Inglis.