Keidean Coleman's Katherine hometown regarded the Brisbane Lions defender as an AFL megastar even before his performance against Carlton.
The fan club's surely grown after a best-on-ground effort in the preliminary final win that will ensure a 19-year grand final appearance drought for the club ends on Saturday.
The 23-year-old was instrumental in the Lions' comeback and his daring attitude and exquisite foot skills will be necessary if they're to beat Collingwood, who he grew up supporting, at the MCG.
Ten tackles and 11 intercept possessions among 21 disposals at nearly 90 per cent efficiency on the big stage proved what Coleman's fans back home have known all along.
"I went back there last year; it's pretty funny, they think I'm a megastar, which is a bit embarrassing," he laughed.
Coleman and his younger brother Blake, a 2020 draftee who played VFL for Brisbane this season, moved from the Northern Territory to Brisbane as nine and eight-year-old Magpies and St Kilda fans respectively.
Thirteen years after watching their sides play out a grand final draw - the Magpies won the replay a week later - the older Coleman will try to stop Collingwood from claiming another flag.
"I remember my debut game, running out against Scotty Pendlebury was surreal," the Lions Academy graduate said.
"It's pretty ironic and pretty weird to think that I'm playing a granny against Collingwood, the team I grew up supporting."
Coleman, played as a forward when he broke into the team in 2020, was demoted to the substitute role in a season-shaping loss to Hawthorn in round 13.
"I was second-guessing myself," said Coleman, who was elevated back into Brisbane's starting side the next game.
"After that I just thought to myself to back myself. That's when I play my best footy, when I'm just out there, playing freely and playing on instinct."
He described his display at the Gabba on Saturday as "just one of those nights" and is determined to avoid any complacency against the Magpies.
"It's a new week, isn't it," he said.
"I'll be confident going out there in doing what I did the other day.
"I'm excited to see what comes; just back myself and my skills."
