EVERY year there is a Grand Final heartbreak story.
This year, as was the case in 2012, it is Brendan Whitecross.
Whitecross ruptured his ACL in last Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong, meaning the injury will keep him out of Saturday's decider with Fremantle.
It was the same knee he injured in last year's qualifying final against Collingwood – which forced him to miss the 2012 Grand Final.
A popular member at Hawthorn, Whitecross was at Waverley Park for the team's recovery session the morning after the Hawks' thrilling five-point win over the Cats.
"He's (Whitecross) a big part of the footy club and to see such a great player and a great person go down with a serious knee injury is devastating for the football club," Hawk spearhead Lance Franklin said last Saturday.
"To be here after hurting his knee demonstrates what a quality person he is to have around the footy club."
Whitecross had a traditional reconstruction on his right knee on Tuesday and faces a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Even still, his place in the team will not be forgotten or overlooked.
The 23-year-old has inspired the team with his attitude and positivity and he will play an informal, yet important role, in keeping team morale at a premium this week.
Injured Hawthorn teammates Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Suckling will also be key parts of the Grand Final build up.
Suckling started running at training last week after tearing his ACL in March, while Schoenmakers sustained the same injury in April.
Both players will hope to join in certain chunks of main training in an attempt to feel part of the week, as well as helping to sharpen their teammates' skills before the big game.
Several Dockers will also not be there to fight it out for the ultimate glory on Saturday.
Ruckman Jonathon Griffin managed seven games in the early stages of this season and filled in admirably for the worn-down Aaron Sandilands.
But the Fremantle big man was forced to have season-ending knee surgery after rupturing his ACL in May.
Teammate Kepler Bradley played five games before also falling to a torn ACL in April.
Both men will be there at the MCG on Saturday as Fremantle tries to win its first flag.
In the NBA, every player on the victorious team's roster receives a championship ring for their contributions – even if they had limited or no playing time during the season.
That tradition is yet to be passed on in to the AFL.
However, while Whitecross, Schoenmakers, Suckling, Griffin, Bradley and others won't have a medal around their necks on Saturday afternoon, they can be comfortable in the knowledge they have been essential members in the makings of a premiership team.
