The Keidean Coleman story has plenty of thrilling chapters still to write until the end of what looks to be a gem of a career that was dug up from dusty obscurity and is polished towards rising superstardom.

The Dalabon and Jawoyn man's tale started on the red dirt surrounding the Katherine Community of Barunga, but strangely looked lost on the road to an AFL dream that he lives with brother Blake in Brisbane after once returning to the Top End to play in the reserves.

The turnaround from finding the ball for Darwin Buffaloes twos to turning up for the 2023 AFL decider inside five years came to a head after arguably the half back's most influential game in the preliminary final win over Carlton from his past 63 appearances for the Lions.

Coleman, as the prime mover has done all season "wanted to play my role within our system", but the architect of turning around an early five-goal deficit into an 11 goal-to-four finish calmly pinpointed all the targets up the field and set up the run out of defence.

It was almost a metaphor of the times that Coleman once doubted his journey to the top.

"I didn't want to do anything overly extravagant, but I said to some of the boys it was just one of those nights when the ball sort of fell into my hands," Coleman explained at a midweek press conference in Brisbane.

"I was able to use it by foot and, yeah, it opened the game up.

"It sort of hasn't hit me yet, going to a grand final now. It is exciting the week ahead."

For the 23-year-old and the once Collingwood tragic, the 2010 AFL grand finals was all but the inspiration for a schoolboy Coleman to relocate to Brisbane in pursuit of more than just a scholarly education.

That reference point hit home again this week, from the time the close brothers were aged 10 and eight, for not just one day in September but the entire week into October.

"I remember that day at my grandmother's house when I had put on my Collingwood guernsey and had a little black and white footy as well," Coleman says.

"My brother, Blake, happened to be a St Kilda supporter.

"The result turned out pretty ridiculous with the draw, but fortunately they came out and won the replay.

"But I am now living in the here and the now, and I'm excited to hopefully contribute to a successful team – just the other team."

But the move away from the outback years later almost ensured that Coleman never could emulate his Magpies hero Leon Davis the moment that the Lions took an interest in a risky but silky-skilled teenager from Morningside.

The earlier introduction of football academies in such development states stopped that.

But the AFL can't always stop where your heart lies.

There was no escaping from the black and white running through Coleman's veins.

Not just the grand final nor the childhood Magpies posters on his bedroom wall, but his introduction to the big time.

"I was still a Collingwood supporter when I debuted against Collingwood," he laughs.

"I still remember my debut game, running out there against Scotty Pendlebury, and it was a bit surreal.

"It's pretty ironic and pretty weird that I'm playing a granny against Collingwood, the only team I grew up supporting."

There's another crew that has his support now.

Thoughts other than at the MCG will be with his loved ones back home and despite his biggest day of his life ahead, there's a kick he enjoys about picturing faces scrambling for a spot around the telly and pointing to the screen whenever he touches the ball.

The streets in the town that has 6500 residents will never be more deserted on a Saturday than when they last gawked over past grand final heroes from Katherine.

Andrew McLeod, who kicked balls around the local primary school yard, grabbed two Norm Smith medals in 1997 and '98 premierships with Adelaide while Brad Ottens, who spent his formative years on a nearby cattle station, was the missing piece from Geelong's trio of flags.

It's Coleman's time in the spotlight but in a different era.

"I know a lot of people will be watching in Katherine now," Coleman says.

"I went back there last year – it was pretty funny because they think I am a megastar, which is kinda embarrassing.

"I have a lot of family there and a lot in Community, yeah, not far from there.

"They're all excited I'm pretty sure and I'm hopeful they're barracking for the Lions."

That allegiance is embedded in Coleman's loyalty after making an indelible mark across just four seasons under coach Chris Fagan.

He got there in his under-18 year when Morningside coach Stephen Wearne, who ran out for three senior games at Melbourne as his brother David appeared in 18 games for the Bears, backed the sublime foot skills and gave him carte blanche to run loose to run amok.

"I've always do try and play composed, and not rush myself," Coleman added.

"It's something I've sort of grown up doing, especially throughout my junior career.

"I don't really think about the games too much; I just back myself because I sort of know what I am capable of."

The Lions' academy came begging, but the club was also reluctant to immediately draft in Coleman following his incomplete first year.

Another 12 months passed and after smoothing out the rough edges that also included elite training with the Lions' senior group, the club was forced to match an Essendon offer.

"That 2018 year, I was fortunate enough to play for the Allies and I went to the (end of the year) national combine.

"Unfortunately, I didn't get drafted that year, but I thought to myself why not give it another real crack because I came this far.

"I was also fortunate to be in that NEAFL premiership team the following year.

"Now I'm thankful to this club that they ended up drafting me, well bidding on me, so I'm happy I'm still here."

That bidding did not come without an element of controversy.

Brisbane did not have the required draft points and quickly on trade day had to make a number of late trades to better the Bombers' point tally.

The AFL even had to break its own rules to give Lions staff more than their allocated time by nearly ten minutes.

That kind of favourable treatment may only irate Collingwood should his easy path to Brisbane prove the difference on Saturday.

But Coleman was adamant the late draft bid would have been inconsequential at one stage this year after a form slip had him on the outer with Fagan.

"I was sort of second guessing myself," Coleman says.

"That Hawthorn game, I was a sub, and after that I said to myself, 'Just back yourself and don't think about the game too much' because that's when I play my best footy."

No real advice from the coach was going to make the difference on his return to the team.

The rebounding defender just had to find his rhythm and play on instinct.

"He always knew my offence was pretty good," Coleman says.

"It was more so my defensive side of my game.

"He just wanted me to watch vision and see where I can get better at that.

"I did and I am glad that I am back in the team now."