It is a desire to play in a Ballarat Football League premiership with the Kangaroos.

No one knows better than the veteran ruckman the importance of grabbing the opportunity East Point has to capture a flag at Mars Stadium on Saturday.

Koderenko played in the Roos’ first BFL grand final in 2006 without success.

Now with more than 200 senior BFL appearances to his name, this is his first chance at a premiership since then. He was overseas when the Roos played in the 2009 grand final, and for a second time lost to Redan.

The time that Koderenko has had to wait between grand finals highlights that there are no guarantees in sport.

Koderenko said breaking through for a first flag for East Point would be great for everyone who had been involved in the club from the time East Ballarat and Golden Point merged.

“There’s been a lot of people come and go, and a lot of people will be right behind us on Saturday.”

There would be a touch of irony for Koderenko too if East Point did manage to defeat Melton as he made his senior debut as an East Ballarat 16-year-old against Melton in 2000.

As the elder statesman at the Roos, Koderenko’s presence and influence have never been so important at the Eastern Oval.

Coach Jake Bridges added a wealth of untapped talent this year, including Jacob Brown, Joel Ottavi, Jordan Johnston and Cam Lovig – and it has been the likes of Koderenko and Daniel Tung who have been sounding boards on and off the field.

Koderenko said the younger players had taken every challenge in their stride. “Young guys are pretty undaunted. They’ve come across and have a lot of confidence.”

He said while it was a grand final, the aim had been to keep the preparation as close as possible to any other week in the season.

Koderenko said while he was feeling some nerves, it was a great situation to be in and it was important to “take it as it comes”.