When the question finally came from coach Troy Maiden, Wagga Tigers veteran Matt Noonan didn't hesitate.
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"I went to the two training runs thinking I was there just to help out with the numbers and move the ball around," Noonan said.
"'Pag' (Maiden) asked me about half a dozen times at training how I was feeling. But he pulled me aside towards the end of training and asked me was I right to go.
"I didn't have to wait. I answered straight away."
The big man has played more than 250 games in the yellow and black.
Few will be more important, more treasured, and less unlikely, than Saturday's premiership decider against Griffith Swans.
Noonan is Tigers' 11th hour inclusion, coming in to the squad for the injured Ben Kelly, who was unable to overcome a hamstring injury.
There, under the lights at Robertson Oval on Thursday night, it was sinking in for the 37-year-old that he was going back to a first grade grand final for the first time since 2007.
"The heart started to race, when he straight out asked me," Noonan said.
"You play enough senior footy over your lifetime, you don't lose that buzz you get.
"It'll be good to run out there with the boys and help as much as I can. A lot of those boys, I won't say I've grown up with them - I'm 10 to 15 years old than them! - but I've watched them grow up. I even coached a few when they were about 10."
Maiden said Noonan's reliability and versatility meant he was the right option to entrust with the last minute selection, coming in after just one senior game all year.
"Matt played a game for us towards the end of the season against Coolamon and played well that day," Maiden said.
"He brings a lot of calmness, he's got a steady head and we know what we can expect.
"(Versatility) was another reason, he can play anywhere. And Griffith are a tall side so when we had a tall go out we needed a tall to come in."
Noonan tempered his excitement, feeling for Kelly who also missed the 2016 grand final due to injury, as well as Pat Gaynor who injured a knee in the qualifying final.
"It's a bit surreal, and I don't know how to talk about it at the moment. It's unfortunate that two tall guys have gone out with injury," he said.
"It's a bit of misfortune for them. I won't replace what they bring to the side. Ben's had a very good year and he's a good guy for the team. But I'll just do my thing, I'll get out there and compete.
"I could be anywhere. Wherever the side sees the best fit for myself to play a role, I'll get out there and do it."
Adding to the grand final storyline, Noonan is also an ex-Swan, spending four seasons at Griffith, including as coach in 2010.
"They've done really well over the last few years, to build that culture and also push some of their juniors to stick around and they're reaping the rewards," Noonan said.
"They obviously brought in some top end talent and skilful guys, which helps their younger guys come on and just play their role.
"It's a bit similar to what we've done this year at Tigers."
Noonan was quick to point out that teammate Scott Pearce is the real veteran among them.
"I'm not the oldest in the team, but I'll bring the average up, that's for sure," he said with a laugh.
"He's a year older than me. We played juniors together. But he's been there in the side all year. I've just come in at the last stage."
Noonan has been impressed by the way Tigers have played, crediting Maiden with setting out their game plan early and coaching the team to play to it.
"'Pag' has brought a lot of organisation and structure to the side and being a younger side they thrive off having that structure," he said.
"The early part of the season it took a little bit of time to gel but as they got rolling and got comfortable with each other, it's started to flow. Obviously in the back half of the season they've had some good results and played some really good footy to watch."
Except now, it's not 'they', it's 'we'.
And Noonan will have a front row seat.