After 305 first-grade games, Tyson Frizell will make his first NRL grand final when Newcastle meet the Sydney Roosters on Sunday night.
The 34-year-old has waited longer than any player in premiership history to reach the decider.
Two weeks ago, he was the only member of the 300-game club yet to play in a preliminary final.
Newcastle's injury crisis has put him in the starting front row, with seven squad members having fewer than 50 games.
His appearance leaves John Morris as the only player in history with 300 or more games and no grand final.
Frizell hopes for a new Newcastle deal, though departure looks likely; Wests Tigers and overseas clubs have shown interest.
"I love the game too much and I feel like I've still got a lot more to offer," Frizell said.
He acknowledged: "It could be my last game for the club, I don't know just yet."