Richmond Tigers defender David Astbury will look to follow in the footsteps of Ballarat's Shaun Grigg when he lines up in his third AFL grand final this weekend.
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Astbury, who hails from the small farming community of Tatyoon near Ararat, is in line to serve as Richmond's secondary ruckman on Saturday - a role Grigg famously took on to help deliver the Tigers a drought-breaking flag in 2017.
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Coach Damien Hardwick's late-season preference to use Toby Nankervis without a genuine second ruck has seen Astubury dabble in the craft as a relief option.
For Astbury, it's meant spending more time working with teammate Nankervis and fringe player Mabior Chol to learn the trade.
"I see it as a fair compliment from Dimma (Hardwick) saying that he believes in me to be able to do that job and also spend time back," Astbury said.
"It's unfamiliar and you've got to acknowledge that, but it's to be part of a system and play a role that helps the team be the best it can be, and hopefully win.
"Everyone puts their ego aside to be able to do anything they can for the group."
Astbury looked right at home as a part-time ruckman in last week's thrilling preliminary final triumph over Port Adelaide.
But the 29-year-old will face a key battle with Geelong power forward Tom Hawkins at the Gabba as he tries to stop the Coleman medallist kicking goals.
Hawkins' forward-50 ruck work has also been crucial in setting up opportunities for Cats teammates.
"He's doing everything and it will certainly take more than one player to be able to curb his influence on the game," Astbury said.
"Last weekend (against Brisbane), particularly early in the game, he didn't just look like the most dangerous forward out there but he also looked like the most dangerous ruckman.
"He can kill you 100 ways, 'Tomma', so that's something that we'll have to be conscious of."
Astbury grew up playing with Tatyoon in the Mininera and District league, where his family has a long and rich history over a number of decades.
He came via the North Ballarat Rebels and was drafted with pick 35 in the 2009 AFL draft.
He kicked three goals on debut in 2010, before morphing into a dual premiership-winning key defender. His third flag might come as a back-up ruckman.
"It is sort of funny because a lot of people think you're almost playing a different sport as a ruckman. But fundamentally, when you simplify it, your strengths as a player really don't change," he said.
