Kiwis icon Benji Marshall last made the NRL Grand Final 16 years ago - and even he can't quite believe it.
The former NZ captain will line up for South Sydney Rabbitohs in Sunday night's NRL showpiece against Penrith Panthers.
"It's hard to comprehend at the moment, it's been so long I've forgotten what Grand Final week was like. I'm just really grateful to be in this position and have this opportunity.
"There's probably been a couple of times in the past five years where it looked like my career was over."
From the kid who starred in Wests Tigers' 2005 win to the Kiwis legend preparing to bid for a second premiership, Marshall, 36, has come full circle.
"To be able to be here at this great club, who have shown me a lot of support, especially the players, with Wayne [Bennett] to get me here... I've really felt the love being here and I'm really enjoying myself."
At the start of the year, Marshall didn't even have a contract, but was thrown a lifeline by the Rabbitohs. Since then, he's made every minute count.
He's enjoyed his time at Souths so much, he has no intention of retiring just yet.
"Put it this way, I feel like the way my body feels now, I could play next year if I wanted to, but I'll weigh all those things up at the end of the season"
"I've had five shoulder reconstructions at a young age, so to bounce back from that for me is something I'm most proud of."
After their Preliminary final win over Manly, Bennett predicted Marshall would retire after Sunday's Grand Final, but his x-factor bench player saw the funny side of those comments.
"I just laughed, I haven't even discussed retiring with Wayne at the moment."
Marshall's been instrumental in Souths' run this year, helping the team win 13 of their last 14 games.
"No matter what he does after this, it's been a special moment to be able to play alongside him and he's definitely one of the greatest players to play this game," says teammate Damien Cook.
Marshall's just as stoked to play in another Grand Final as his Kiwi fans, who performed a haka for the World Cup winner at training.
"Just reflecting on that, it's an honour when someone does a haka for you, so to have those boys and girls from the old school that I went to was really special."
Marshall will hope there's a winning haka as well on Sunday, if he can help lead the Rabbitohs to victory over the Panthers.
Join us on Sunday from 10pm for live updates of the NRL Grand Final
