Shepparton Football and Netball Club head trainer, David Cuzens, will realise every elite football trainer's dream when Greater Western Sydney and Richmond clash for the AFL's holy grail.
Cuzens - in his first year as one of the Giants' Victorian-based trainers - will be looking after the team's stars when the AFL's newest club creates history.
The Notre Dame College teacher, 46, will be busy massaging tight hamstrings and strapping ankles today for the side's last training session and tomorrow before the game starts, as Paul Kelly rocks above in the pre-game entertainment.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd get the chance to be a part of something like this,” he said.
“It's a once in a lifetime event, most trainers dream of being out there on grand final day.
“I'm very lucky and I'm grateful for the opportunity.”
It is a culmination of years of hard work from the father-of-two, who first got into managing footballers' bodies when he was completing his university degree in physical education and outdoor education.
Plying his trade at many football clubs across Warrnambool in the state's south-west, Cuzens worked his way onto the Gold Coast Suns' Victorian-based trainers list.
He was a member of the Suns' trainer team for five years, all while maintaining his role as head trainer of the Bears in the Goulburn Valley League.
But then an opportunity came along at the start of the year to join the Giants, when applications were open for Victorian-based trainers.
Cuzens' childhood friend just so happened to be senior coach Leon Cameron, who he had grown up with in the farming community of Woolsthorpe, 25km north of Warrnambool.
“We grew up together from primary school through to high school at Warrnambool's Brauer College,” Cuzens said.
“So at the start of the year I put a call in and their head trainer got back in touch and then had the chance of an interview.
“And I'm very thankful, it's been a fantastic year.”
Tomorrow will be the Giants' first appearance on the big stage in their eight-year existence.
It took a thrilling four-point victory against Collingwood in last Saturday's preliminary final for the Giants to earn their spot at claiming their first flag.
Without some of their most important players, the Giants pulled off a memorable victory after two agonising preliminary final losses in 2016 and 2017.
But Cuzens said the Giants' round four win against Geelong stood out as one of his favourites.
“That was a pretty special win, it was the Giants' first at Geelong and it was also the game that Callan Ward injured his knee,” he said.
“But last week was surreal.
“There was a lot of emotion in the rooms after the match, it's been a long time coming for the club and everyone involved.”
Although the Giants are only in their infant years compared to their opponents in tomorrow's grand final, Cuzens spoke glowingly on the culture that has been instilled at the club.
“It's a very welcoming club, the players, staff and everybody involved makes you feel at home,” he said.
“There are plenty of characters wherever you look, it's a pretty special place to be involved in.”
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