THE AGONY and ecstasy was there for all to see in just one car.
On Friday in the Grand Final parade, hard luck story Harrison Marsh sat next to NAB AFL Rising Star Callum Mills.
Marsh, the Sydney Swans defender who's played four of his seven career games in the past month, was relegated to an emergency when teams were announced.
Mills, on the other hand, was one of two inclusions – along with co-captain Jarrad McVeigh – for the premiership decider.
Journalists and cameras swarmed the pair and while Marsh was describing his disappointment at missing out on the biggest game of the year, he could hear his teammate next to him anticipating running on to the MCG.
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"It's not easy, but I could see it [the omission] coming a bit with Millsy coming back into the team," Marsh said.
With both Mills and McVeigh returning from hamstring and calf injuries respectively, there was always going to be an unlucky player.
Aliir Aliir was ruled out earlier this week with a knee injury, meaning Marsh had to make way.
"I probably knew at the start of the week, and then I just had to wait for Macca [McVeigh] to pass his fitness test," Marsh said.
"I'd love to be playing, but at the same time I understand what goes on, and you have to deal with it. With the captain coming back from injury, someone has to go."
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By contrast, Mills was jumping at the chance to play in the Grand Final in just his first season.
"It's a special feeling really, but you try to treat it like every other week if you can, it's a big game tomorrow and our focus is getting up for that," he said.
Mills confirmed he was ready to go, having got through several training sessions this week.
"I always wanted to try and make it back and I always had the mindset that I'd be able to make it back. When it would be I wasn't too sure, but luckily enough I was picked this week and I'm very grateful."
Mills spoke of the importance of being positive while stranded on the sidelines, watching his team earn their third Grand Final berth in just five years.
"It's very important. You've got to have a positive mind to heal fast," he said.
"That was my mindset and just to control what I could control. I was improving day by day, and all the coaches and physio staff were happy with how I was going.
"Then it was all up to the coaches and luckily enough they picked me."
Marsh was wishing he could say the same.
"Horse [coach John Longmire] was pretty open with me in regards to Macca – and Macca got up, so I missed out," he said.
