The remarkable tale of the rise and rise of James Podsiadly added another cheery chapter on Friday night when he booted three goals at the MCG in his first final on his 29th birthday.

It took his tally to 48 goals from 18 games, the best return from a first-year rookie-listed player.

But don’t bother asking the J-Pod about the journey that has captured the football world’s imagination - he doesn’t really think about it too much.

“At the moment I am living in the moment really,” he said in the lead-up to the preliminary final against Collingwood.

“I don’t look too far ahead and don’t look into the past - what’s done is done.

“I just try to improve each week and play a role in the team’s structure.”

Given that attitude, it is not surprising he hasn’t even given Friday’s match any thought.

“It is too early in the week to build yourself up, I don’t even look at the game until Friday, until the day of the game,” Podsiadly said.

“It is just another game, I love playing footy and always look forward to playing. I don’t really get nervous.”

It is that love of the game that kept the J-Pod saddling up season after season in the VFL before getting his chance in the big time with Geelong.

“To be honest I just enjoy getting the best out of myself and love that challenge,” he said.

“That’s the big thing that drives me.

“I didn’t play much footy when I was younger, so it’s the ability to get the best out of myself.”

Podsiadly was working in the fitness department at Geelong and playing in the club’s VFL side before being picked up as a mature-aged rookie in time for the 2010 season.

Despite his years in the VFL system, Podsiadly said actually being a player in the elite competition had provided a priceless resource to complement his qualifications in exercise science from Victoria University.

“I just think that this year and the next couple of years will hold me in good stead when I get back into a full time conditioning job, knowing what you go through and how you feel during the week, physically and mentally,” Podsiadly said.

“There are some flat days but I think Geelong is pretty good and the (attention to the) welfare of the players is second to none.

“I think every AFL player goes through peaks and troughs through the season.

“Not many can stay up mentally through the whole season and those that do are the real champions.

“I didn’t know that before.

“Doing the theory at uni is all well and good but until you go through it first-hand you realise - I am lucky.”

Podsiadly also said time spent as a player was probably more valuable than further study.

“I’d still like to do a few things with study, but honestly the best form of study is playing at the elite level and taking a few notes which I think will be more of an advantage,” he said.

“I take notes on my laptop that might help me in the future, be a good reference.”

The sports science knowledge has been a fortunate by-product of an AFL career that started with moderate expectations at pre-season training last summer.

“All (pre-season) was, was just about getting fit so I’d be ready to play AFL,” he said.

“I had to prepare and train hard to make the most of any chance I got.

“I am definitely fitter now. I guess AFL fitness levels are a lot higher than VFL, just the intensity and the ball moves so much quicker and everyone is just a bit harder.

“And just how much more recovery there is, you cannot train as hard during the week in an AFL season compared with VFL.”

His first final against Fremantle last Friday was a triumph for both Podsiadly and the team.

While the margin was comprehensive, Podsiadly warned that this Freo side was the real deal.

“They’ve been a very good side all year, they are very skilful, run hard and are hard at the ball,” he said.

“They have some good signs for the next few years, it should be some fun times for the club.”

With all the teams and accolades over the years, Podsiadly hasn’t played in a senior premiership. The closest he got was being part of a losing grand final in the VFL and in another two preliminary finals.

But it has never really been about winning or losing for the J-Pod. He just loves playing football.