DANE Rampe has learnt to move on pretty quickly from disappointment, so it's little wonder he's been a star in the Sydney Swans' past two finals.
Just nine days after being named in the All Australian team for the first time, Rampe gave up four goals to Greater Western Sydney star Jeremy Cameron in the Swans' qualifying final loss at ANZ Stadium.
It was a setback for the Sydney local, but the 26-year-old's journey to the AFL taught him to not dwell on disappointment.
Rampe was overlooked at countless NAB AFL drafts, but has now carved out four quality seasons in the League, on the back of a strong will to compete, and his career-best year helped him rebound in brilliant fashion.
The star backman kept Adelaide captain Taylor Walker quiet in the Swans' semi-final win, then had 26 possessions in last week's preliminary final against Geelong.
"Obviously 'Jezz' (Jeremy Cameron) had the better of me, he's a bloody good player, and they were on that day the Giants," Rampe told AFL.com.au this week.
"But in saying that, I don't lose confidence because of one game.
"I take confidence out of the year I've had, and if that’s going to happen once every year or so, I'm glad it's out of the way.
"Maybe it was a bit of a kick up the arse, I guess, reminding me to stick to what I know and what I do best.
"Every weekend is a new challenge and you'll lose contests, as long as you're learning from it, there's a positive to take out of it.
"My mindset was to learn from it and never let it happen again."
Rampe left Sydney to chase his AFL dream as a teenager but despite spending two pre-seasons attempting to win a spot on the Western Bulldogs' list, he returned to his home state after three years in Melbourne with his hopes dashed.
It was a stunning season in the Sydney AFL where he won the league best and fairest while playing for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs – ironically also the Bulldogs – that saw Rampe's obsession with getting picked up replaced by a love of having fun with his mates.
Dane Rampe slots into the back pocket of the 2016 All Australian team. Picture: Michael Willson
"I thought at the time that I'd missed out on the best three years of my life being in Melbourne," he said.
"My friends were travelling and that kind of thing, and by the time I came back they all had degrees, while I had nothing to show for it.
"So playing local footy just allowed me to enjoy the game again.
"For me now, the second I get too consumed by footy or taking it too seriously, is the second I stop enjoying it, and you worry about things out of your control.
"As long as I'm out there competing hard, I'm happy and I'm content.
"There's going to be days when a get a bath, like the GWS game, but that’s just the way it is."
Rampe was a part of the Swans' failed 2014 premiership tilt, when they were embarrassed by Hawthorn to the tune of 63 points, and he a tough day down back on the likes of Jack Gunston.
While the Clovelly boy doesn't wake up at night in a cold sweat thinking about his Grand Final shocker, he admitted that Saturday's clash with the Dogs is a great chance to push the disappointment aside.
"The good thing is now we've got an opportunity to do something about it, and that was the overriding feeling after last week's win," he said.
"The job isn't done yet by any stretch of the imagination, it's just a shot at that success we missed out on in 2014.
"It doesn't affect me day to day or anything but it's nice to have another chance to have a proper crack at it."
