Some consider themselves lucky to play in just one grand final over the course of a footy career, two can be a blessing and three is often remarkable.
But Waroona skipper Courtney Lakay’s achievement tops them all, with the perennial midfielder set to line up in his ninth Peel Football and Netball League grand final on Saturday.
He won’t be alone in the milestone, joining a crux of veteran Demons who have become synonymous with the league’s final game of the season.
The core group of red and black guns has brought four flags home to Parnell Street Oval, and once again they find themselves chasing a premiership in 2017.
“We’ve been really lucky to have the same bunch of blokes, who all know what it takes, together for so long,” Lakay said.
“That success we’ve had in the past is something we’ll always have with each other.”
But the past will count for naught when the Demons step onto the field this Saturday looking to rectify their grand final appearances in the previous two seasons, which netted them with losses to South Mandurah and Baldivis.
“We’ve lost the last two and we can’t lose three in a row,” Lakay said.
“No one wants to go through that again so we’re really desperate to get the win.”
Despite coming all the way from fifth on the ladder, Waroona enters the game with supreme confidence after a dream run through the PFNL finals.
Kick-started by a three-goal win in the elimination final over South Mandurah, the Demons steamrolled Centrals before edging out Baldivis to claim their spot in the season finale.
But Lakay said his side would need to be prepared for a test on a whole different level when they take on Pinjarra.
“We’ve built a lot of belief in ourselves over the past few weeks, but we realise Pinjarra is the league’s top team for a reason,” he said.
“Their outside run is dangerous, they’ve got a strong midfield – it’s going to be a battle.
“They’re a very good side, but we’re confident we have what it takes to beat anyone when we play our brand of footy.”
The PFNL grand final kicks off at 2.30pm, preceded by the colts at 9.45am and the reserves at 12.10pm.