Angus Crichton says a premiership is the only acceptable finish for the Roosters, who last reached a grand final in 2019.
That drought mirrors Lindsay Collins' career, with the prop having endured 10 finals campaigns and three preliminary-final appearances without playing in a decider.
Collins can change that record by helping Sydney defeat the Dolphins on Friday night.
He was selected for both of the Roosters' 2018 finals victories, but Dylan Napa returned from suspension for the grand final.
The following year, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returned from suspension and replaced Collins after he had played in the preliminary-final win over Melbourne.
Collins also would have missed a 2024 decider after suffering a concussion in the previous week.
"Those two deserved to be there more than me (in 2018 and 2019). So there wasn't really any moment where it hurt," Collins told AAP.
He was especially close in 2018, remaining in contention until Cooper Cronk played through a broken scapula and displaced him from the bench.
Trent Robinson later gave Collins his premiership ring, but the forward says he valued being part of the team.
"It just shows how hard it is to make a grand final," Collins said, noting the demands of consistency, timing and avoiding injuries.