Sydney veteran Taylor Adams put on a brave face despite facing the prospect of watching his teammates play in another grand final.
Adams was the heartbreak story of Collingwood’s premiership triumph last year when he missed out through injury.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Adams and Mills speak after prelim win.
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He was traded to Sydney and after a delayed start to the season, quickly established himself as a key player in the all-conquering team.
But it was a case of déjà vu on the eve of the finals with Adams dropped ahead of the qualifying final win over GWS.
The 31-year-old wasn’t even among the emergencies for the preliminary final win over Port Adelaide and appears a long shot to feature next week.
Speaking to Channel 7 after the Swans’ win over the Power, Adams was all class and said he’d be able to enjoy the week.
“I am ecstatic. I thought that was probably our best performance of the year,” he said.
“We played probably our best four quarters of football and I am rapt for the boys.
“After going through last year, I have learned to really enjoy this, what’s been thrown at me. Looking forward to a great week.”
Captain Callum Mills will be a massive wait and see during the week.
Mills injured his hamstring at training last week, but hasn’t yet been ruled out for the grand final.
He said he’ll do everything in his power to prove his fitness.
“Really excited as well. Unbelievable performance. Really excited for the club, to get back into another grand final, bloody hard to do. Really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I’ll give it a crack this week and see how we go.”
It will be an intriguing week at selection with young forward Logan McDonald, who was dropped for the 2022 grand final, subbed out with an ankle injury.
Dane Rampe faces an anxious wait for the match review officer’s verdict after clattering Zak Butters in the first quarter of Friday night’s preliminary final.
Rampe elected to bump while bearing down on Butters, raising his arm and seemingly catching the Port Adelaide star high after he dished off a quickfire handball.
Butters immediately got to his feet, while the Power were paid a down-the-ground free kick.
– With AAP