It was meant to be for David Swallow.
The Gold Coast icon reigned as the game's player with the most matches under his belt without a final.
But on Saturday, that unwanted record changed as the Suns played the first-ever final against Fremantle in front of a packed Optus Stadium.
Swallow was told earlier in the week that he earned his spot in the final 23, and was utilised as the sub in the elimination final.
The former Pick 1 played 18 per cent game time, which turned out to be the most crucial in the club's 15-year existence.
With the scores tied and time running out, Swallow received a free kick from 50 meters out. He flushed it, and it crossed the line to give the visitors a six-point lead with nine seconds remaining. However, upon review, the kick was touched on the mark, but the behind was enough for a one-point victory.
"To be honest, I thought I lost us the game a couple minutes earlier," Swallow told Channel 7.
"To have that moment… then it was reversed… I don't know, it was a bloody good game.
An inaugural Sun, playing his first final in his 248 game career...
DAVID SWALLOW WINS IT FOR THE SUNS 🙌#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/BISMEkmxWM
— AFL (@AFL) September 6, 2025
"It's been an extraordinary week. The boys played unbelievably tonight. I had a small part in the end and got a little bit lucky. It's pretty cool."
The inaugural Sun had battled for his entire career for a chance in September, and will finish when the season closes.
Swallow denied interest from rivals around the competition at the peak of his powers to remain loyal to Gold Coast.
"It's been my whole adult life, living up on the Gold Coast and trying to make a go of it,” he said.
"I know how hard this group works. Our fans deserve it, everyone involved deserves it, so it's a good story."
"I thought I lost us the game a couple minutes earlier when I turned it over."
🗣️ The man of the moment, David Swallow | #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/pi0Kbqa2LR
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 6, 2025
"He actually came over to my house on Monday night and told me. It was a bit dark; I was putting the kids to bed, and it was a bit weird, but it was a pretty special moment."
Coach Damien Hardwick said Swallow's match-winning score was a "fairytale moment", saying he deserves it because he "stayed the course" when others didn't.
"He is Gold Coast. He's the fabric of the place. What he's given our football club, it's just reward," Hardwick said post-game.
"For him to kick the winning point that got his club over the line, he's served since he was 17 years of age, 15 years here.
"'Witta' [Jarrod Witts] summed it up best, when he said, 'Dave stayed when others moved on'. Dave committed and stayed the course, so it's great reward for him.
"Shaun Grigg got him to speak to the guys. It was quite a touching moment for him to be out in front of the group. They just idolise him. He's everything that everyone wants to be. He's an incredible person."
