It's a rare feat to progress from reserve grade to an NRL grand final in the same season, but Api Koroisau did just that in 2014.
Playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a rookie, the hooker found himself in the starting side in the decider that campaign — an opportunity he grabbed with both hands.
In the latest episode of The Sporting News/YKTR Ebbs and Flows, Koroisau delves into that tumultuous period.
From reserves to NRL grand final: Api Koroisau's wild 2014 Rabbitohs campaign
Now considered one of the league's best and most-experienced hookers, Koroisau had an eventful start to his NRL career.
A part of the Rabbitohs' wider squad in 2014 on a train and trial deal, he made his first-grade debut in Round 4, filling in at No. 9 for Issac Luke, who was dealing with a shoulder injury.
Koroisau went on to enjoy a solid string of appearances before Luke's eventual return.
However, South Sydney coach Michael Maguire opted to keep him in the first-team reserves for an extended period, rather than play him in the NSW Cup side.
"The fact that I was young really helped because I don't think there was any real pressure ... I was 21," Koroisau told Ebbs and Flows.
"I played some of the year when Isaac [Luke] was out ... [then] I thought I was going back to reserve grade.
"Madge (Michael Maguire) told me that I wasn't playing. And I was like: 'Yeah, that's sweet'.
"But he was like: 'You're not going to play [NSW] Cup either ... you're just going to chill in case another injury happens'.
"That was eight weeks out from the grand final."
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The Rabbitohs went on to reach the 2014 decider, but a suspension to Luke for a high tackle made in the preliminary finals left them without their first-choice hooker.
Koroisau admitted that his first reaction to receiving a grand final call-up was panic, with a two-month period of rugby league limbo leaving him unprepared.
"I got the phone call and went straight to the park because I'd been bendering for eight weeks!" he said.
"At the time I was young — I was on a train and trial deal that year as well. So I had no expectations of playing first grade ... [I was] really just loose at the time.
"I remember getting the phone call at the shops, loaded the car and I jumped in the car straight to the park ... I was just trying to burn everything off."
As for the big game itself, Koroisau doesn't remember all that much.
Despite the overwhelming occasion, he still performed well in his role, helping Souths to a memorable 30-6 grand final win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
"I just remember everyone telling me to soak it in. Don't try and ignore the noise ... just try to actually soak it in and acknowledge everything that's happening," he reflected.
"I can barely remember actually playing the game — it was that fast and I was that tired.
"I think the experience of not playing too many games or having been in too many big games sort of helped because then I just went out there and played footy."
How Greg Inglis inspired Api Koroisau ahead of maiden NRL grand final
Koroisau recalled the backing and encouragement he received from South Sydney teammates ahead of the 2014 decider, with the 21-year-old rookie taking on a mighty challenge.
It was a public showing of support from club legend Greg Inglis that meant the most to him, though.
"[The support I received from teammates] was massive," Koroisau said.
"[Greg Inglis] said to me personally 'You've got this, we all trust you.'
"But I think he said it in the paper as well. I know that the paper shouldn't mean as much as the personal interaction, but for me, it did, because it was public.
"Even if they don't trust me, they're gonna play me anyway and they know I'll do the job.
"So either way, I just had to go out there and play footy.
"And other guys [were supportive] like Sam Burgess and John Sutton who I looked up to at the time ... and there were a lot of other young guys in the team.
"So for me, it was all about just going out there and just trying to do my job."
Listen to the latest edition of the Ebbs and Flows podcast with Api Koroisau here.
