JONATHAN Simpkin got the news he'd been desperately hoping to hear shortly after training on Thursday.

Coach Alastair Clarkson took the 25-year-old into a room at Waverley and told him he had been chosen to replace the injured Brendan Whitecross in the Hawthorn team for Saturday's premiership decider.

After nearly five years on AFL lists, at three different clubs, and having watched on from the stands at both his previous AFL homes as his teammates played off in Grand Finals, it was finally his turn.

"It's been a long journey, but to get this chance to play in a Grand Final definitely makes it worthwhile," Simpkin told AFL.com.au at the Grand Final parade on Friday.

"I'm really excited, and keen to get out there tomorrow and have a good crack at it."

Why Clarkson chose Simpkin

The midfielder had played himself into the selection frame with a best on ground performance in Box Hill's premiership win at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

At his press conference on Friday, Clarkson revealed the Hawks' coaching staff had gone to the VFL play-off still undecided on who would win the senior call-up, making Simpkin's 26 disposal, two-goal display a decisive factor.

The former Swan and Cat said he had endured a nervous week as he waited for a thumbs up or thumbs down from his coach.

"I definitely was hoping I was a chance, but I wasn't really sure," Simpkin said.

"As the week went on I sort of knew I was in the mix, so to get the nod yesterday was unbelievable."

Simpkin made the last of his 13 senior appearances this season in round 20 against St Kilda.

Despite doing little wrong (he had 19 disposals and laid five tackles), he made way the following week for returning stars Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall.

In the face of the setback, Simpkin never lost hope of playing a part in September.

"I understood that we had a pretty strong and healthy list and that there were a lot of good senior players coming back into the side," he said.

"So I just had to go back and get some good game time at Box Hill, and try to put a case forward to get back in."

Clarkson said the final decision to choose Simpkin over the likes of Jed Anderson, Shane Savage and Taylor Duryea came down to "splitting hairs".

Perhaps the Hawthorn coach was influenced by the Colac boy's record in Grand Finals at state level.

He has played in four – two with the Swans, one with Geelong and last Sunday with Box Hill – winning them all.

"Hopefully I can be a lucky charm," Simpkin said. "That would be nice."