Shaun Mannagh loves grand finals.
His CV boasts best afield nods for Lavington, in their 2019 Ovens and Murray Grand Final victory, and for Werribee, in their 2023 VFL Grand Final loss.
The mature-aged recruit is keeping a cool head before playing in the biggest grand final of his life, almost safe in the knowledge that the stage suits him.
"At the end of the day, it's just a game of footy, isn't it?" Mannagh said.
"We can't overcomplicate it, we've just gotta go out there and do what we've done for 25 weeks. I think if we play our game, we'll be okay."
Mannagh's emergence has been a fantastic story. Plying his trade in local leagues before rising to national prominence and inserting himself into draft conversations under Michael Barlow at Werribee.
Mannagh had an interview with Port Adelaide, mid-season draft conversations with the Western Bulldogs, and even a medical with Fremantle, before finally being chosen by Geelong in the second round of the 2023 national draft, fresh off a Norm Goss medal-winning six goals against the Gold Coast in a VFL grand final.
Of all the clubs that could've netted the Walla Walla product, Mannagh cannot hide his glee at the serendipitous circumstances that landed him at Geelong.
"I couldn't imagine myself being at any other team," he said. "It's an amazing club, obviously, (there's been) storied success for such a long time."
"I think it's the people (that bring out the best in me). Steve Hocking is always around and talking to the boys. I just don't think there's a hierarchy. Scotty's (coach Chris Scott) around, obviously, everyone's intimidated by him, but he's the softest spoken man you'll ever meet and is always wondering what you're up to off the field, and just engaged in that way.
"I just look back, (and realise) a lot of these people have put faith in me, and come and picked me up a bit late. I've just got to repay that favour and make sure I'm doing them justice."
Far from the hindrance it would appear to be elsewhere, Mannagh's age is a key reason why he's thrived at Kardinia Park.
He and his wife have a young family, with Mannagh crediting the similar place many of his Cattery contemporaries find themselves in, with the ease of his transition to life as an AFL footballer.
However, despite the advantages of his maturity, Mannagh admits to taking the ride for granted this time last year, when Geelong were ultimately eliminated from premiership contention on preliminary final weekend, by their now grand final opponents, the Brisbane Lions.
"I definitely do (pinch myself). More so after the weekend, 'Like, hang on, we're actually here now.' I think last year, for as old as and as experienced as I am, I probably took for granted the run we had, and playing in a prelim. This year, I've appreciated how hard it actually is.
"I'm smiling now because I love the thought of (what's possible) this weekend.
"I had to go back and earn my spot back last year, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You don't want to be getting games just for the fun of it. I want to be playing the best that I can, on the best team."
Mannagh was full of praise for skipper Patrick Dangerfield's performances on and off the field on Friday night.
His "donning of the Superman cape", as it was referred to by Fox Footy analyst Garry Lyon, was one thing, but his performance in the change rooms beforehand, to ease his group's nerves, was another.
"I pride myself on giving energy to the group, but it was 'Danger' on the weekend, believe it or not. He put on the song Danger Zone and just strutted around, and that was pretty funny... He hit the (Conor) McGregor strut, which lightened the tension.
"(His sustained excellence is) actually incredible, isn't it? I think it's because he's a child off the field. He's young at heart. He looks after his body. He's so professional, first in here for treatment every week.
"He was obviously amazing on Friday night, and I think he'll probably go to another level this weekend. The only thing that's not on his resume is a premiership as captain.
The hard-nosed goal-sneak has forged a niche for himself in a forward line that has been humming this season, culminating in his recent reception of the AFL Coaches Association's Best Young Player award.
The nod sparked debate, given Mannagh was just shy of his 28th birthday at the time the award was given, and he admits the chatter initially got to him.
"I was quite embarrassed at the start, but a couple of days later, after talking to coaches, it was more of a reflection of the people who have poured time into me, which helped me flip the script on it. I just want to thank all those people for helping me," he said.
