Darcy Moore grew up with the Colliwobbles, watching and hearing grown men lament their broken dreams.
The Collingwood captain and his dad Peter have now consigned those dark times to the trash can of AFL history, replacing them with the best footy day of their lives.
Peter, who played in five grand finals for four losses and a draw, shared a laugh with his son as he and Leigh Matthews brought the premiership cup onto the MCG before Saturday's grand final.
A couple of hours later, they shared a moment of pure joy as Peter presented the cup to Darcy and coach Craig McRae.
"It was so cool - seeing him walk out with Leigh Matthews, holding the cup, he looked over at me and just had a laugh," Darcy said.
"What a special day, I will never forget it. I will remember it forever.
"Just incredible - so many people were heartbroken by all those lost grand finals in his era.
"So to be able to get one back and bring the 16th cup home, it was so cool and Dad, to close the book on that chapter, pass me the cup - wow, I will never forget it."
As he led Collingwood onto the field, Moore had a big, open-mouthed grin.
Most captains like to show their best game-day face, but Moore was simply rapt to have the opportunity.
"Leading this team out is the funnest thing in the world. Honestly, to serve this club in the role I have, I'm just pinching myself," he said.
"To run out there on grand final day and live your boyhood dream, if that doesn't put a smile on your face then something is wrong with you."
Once again, Collingwood prevailed in a nail-biter. In case anyone is still dubious, Moore notes it is no fluke.
"We're as prepared as anyone to handle that situation - having said that, all bets are off in a grand final. We just have so much trust in each other, we know what we're trying to do," he said.
"The inches count, the fingertips count and we got it done."
