Back in 2009, Podsiadly, who has a degree in sports science, was a member of the Geelong fitness staff.
"I was the warm-up supervisor," the key forward said with a grin, when he spoke to the media at Skilled Stadium on Monday.
"I took the warm-up and celebrated hard after [the game]."
The only Grand Final - at any level of footy - that Podsiadly has previously played in was the 2005 VFL decider.
On that occasion, he was a member of the Werribee team that lost to Sandringham.
Before that, he was at the MCG for the climax of the 2001, '02 and '03 AFL seasons.
"When I was on Essendon's and Collingwood's lists, they made the Grand Finals in those three years, so I sat in the stands then," he explained.
Podsiadly was elevated onto Geelong's senior list after a series of outstanding performances in the club's VFL team during 2009, and he made his AFL debut last year at the age of 28.
Already one of the competition's feel-good stories, he's trying not to dwell on what it would mean if he won his first premiership on Saturday.
"It would be a dream and whatnot, but I haven't really thought about that," said Podsiadly, who turned 30 two weeks ago.
"I don't think that far ahead. I don't dream too much."
Despite being scrutinised by the match review panel for a bump on West Coast's Adam Selwood during Geelong's easy preliminary final win, Podsiadly never had any doubt that he would be cleared.
Now that is official, he's looking forward to lining up alongside much-improved fellow key forward Tom Hawkins on Saturday.
"I've said all year that I thought Hawky's training form has been really, really good," Podsiadly said.
"I think in the last six to eight weeks he's put it into games. Credit to him, he's worked hard and it's come out in games."
Podsiadly has scored 52 goals in 22 games this season, his consistent performances coming after he kicked 49 goals in 19 matches in 2010.
Although he has booted only three goals in the Cats' two games against Collingwood in 2011, he's going into the Grand Final with plenty of confidence after slotting 3.3 against the Eagles.
Podsiadly expects Magpies key defender Chris Tarrant to start the game by his side.
"That was what it was like in the last round, so nothing probably will change," he said.
As always, there are a few hard-luck stories in both the Geelong and Collingwood camps, and veteran Cats forward Cameron Mooney is one of those.
The 32-year-old, who played in North Melbourne's 1999 flag, and in two more with the Cats in 2007 and '09, was hoping to end his career with a fourth premiership medal.
But a chronic knee problem means he will watch on from the stands.
"He's obviously disappointed that he's not playing, because he wears his heart on his sleeve," Podsiadly said.
"But you wouldn't know it with the way he trains and the way he prepares himself in the gym.
"He knows I appreciate all the stuff he's taught me since I've been playing for Geelong, so hopefully I can thank him again, in a big way, on Saturday."
Thanks to its 48-point win over the Eagles last weekend, Geelong is regarded as having the better form in the lead-up to the big game.
However, the Cats are playing the underdog card at every opportunity.
"We're really confident going into this week, but Collingwood is the best team in the comp, so it's a credit to them that they're the favourites," Podsiadly said.
"The reality is that Collingwood finished on top. They only lost two games for the year, even though they were to us, and they're the top team."
