Tyson Frizell has waited longer than any other player in premiership history to play an NRL grand final.
But after 305 first-grade games, the Newcastle prop will finally fulfil a boyhood dream and run out on the biggest day of the rugby league calendar.
"At the end of every year when you're watching a game, you're like, 'when's my time to come?'" Frizell admitted to AAP.
"You just chase it and it's what drives you."
Sunday night's decider against the Sydney Roosters caps a fairytale month for Frizell, who is still unsure of his future beyond the grand final.
A fortnight ago, the 34-year-old was the only member of the NRL's 300-game club to have never featured in a preliminary final.
He has also been called on to start in the front row for Newcastle, with an injury crisis leaving the Knights with seven players with less than 50 games experience.
"For guys like me and (Dane Gagai) that have played for so long and haven't got a premiership, there's a bit of extra motivation, because you don't know when your time's going to be up," Frizell said.
"But these young boys, it's no different. They have been driven to go as far as they can to get the premiership, and it's what's made this team so great."
Frizell's appearance leaves John Morris as the only player in the game's history to play in 300 or more games without making a decider.
The former NSW State of Origin and Kangaroos Test forward has not given up hope of a new deal at Newcastle, but appears increasingly likely to depart the club.
He has been linked with a move to Wests Tigers as part of the joint-venture's drive for experienced middles, while there has also been interest overseas.
Regardless, he is confident Sunday night won't be the end for him in rugby league.
"I love the game too much and I feel like I've still got a lot more to offer," Frizell said.
"It could be my last game for the club, I don't know just yet.
"I'd by lying if I said it didn't go through the week getting these realisations this could be it.
"But once we get down there and it's the day of the game, I've been able to just lock in. I've been playing long enough to know not to worry too much about outside noise."
Australian Associated Press
