NO one needs to tell Brad Ottens finals football is a different beast. The man who became known as Mr September knows it well.
But far away from the bright lights of AFL Grand Final day, the former Cat is set for a finals campaign of a different kind.
Tomorrow, his Newtown & Chilwell team begins the final part of its GFL premiership quest in a qualifying final against St Joseph's - a quest that has included a much-talked about recruiting spree.
Ottens' signing by Newtown this season provided another fillip for the league, which is adding more and more AFL star power by the year.
Ottens joins former teammates Ryan Gamble and Max Rooke at Newtown (Rooke is not expected to play in the finals), while St Joseph's boasts former Melbourne star Russell Robertson and former Bulldog and Cat giant Peter Street.
They are among a number of former AFL players in action across the competition. And, if reports are to be believed, Matthew Scarlett will join the ranks next year.
Their profiles take the competition to another level. Robertson arrived at Joeys last year, and didn't take long to create headlines.
Along with setting a cracking pace in the league goalkicking, he also raised awareness of fan abuse at local level.
He's done it again this year, leading Joeys into the finals again, and winning the goalkicking by one.
For Ottens, a three-time premiership player with the Cats, helping Newtown end a 26-year premiership drought would be an achievement of which he'd be proud.
"We've got the business end coming up, so it's exciting. It's been a while since the club's won a flag, so it'd be great to be a part of," he said.
"We've got a lot of work to do between now and that but it's exciting to be a part of something like that.
"You can't get too carried away, South Barwon has been a great team for 10 years, Bell Park's another one, Joeys; there's some good teams. Finals footy is a different ball game, no matter what level of footy we play.
"I don't think anyone's getting too far ahead of themselves, it's just knowing we've got a big job to do in the next month and hopefully we can get it done."
There is no getting away from the talk among other clubs about the money Newtown has spent to put together a list capable of bringing a long-awaited premiership to the club.
Ottens said money was not a motivation for those involved in the club, and that spending big would never guarantee premierships anyway.
"I think guys are there for different reasons, it's not just money," Ottens said.
"Guys are there because it's a good club and there's good people around. Recruiting's not all based around money, it's based around people wanting to be a part of successful clubs and good teams and good environments, and I think Newtown is exactly that.
"That's why people want to be involved. I don't think it's just the team who spends the most money wins the flag, there's more to it than that."
There were times early in the season when Newtown's master plan looked as though it might not come off.
Its 84-point loss to reigning premier Bell Park in Round 6 sent it to a 3-3 start for the season. It could have been worse, but for two goals by Ottens in time-on to snatch victory against eventual ninth-place finisher Geelong West-St Peter's in Round 4.
But it was as low as it would get for the Eagles.
"We were 3-3 and then won 11 in a row, so we've put ourselves in a pretty good spot, and given ourselves a second chance," Ottens said.
"Obviously finals is a different game so we've got to get ourselves up and going for that, but it's been good, the last couple of months, the boys have just really clicked and we've kept blokes fit and healthy.
"Spoldo's (Jacob Spolding) coaching us really well and we're playing a really good brand of footy, so hopefully we can keep that going.
"I think it does a little bit (take time to jell as a team).
"Obviously (we had) a fair few new faces in the team, plus early on we had a lot of injuries, so that was making it hard - each week there was a different team on the park.
"That was a little bit frustrating and I think that's what contributed to our bit of poor form.
"But as you get all the main senior team playing together, it takes a little while to jell, and I think we've managed to do that pretty well."
It has been as much of Newtown's even spread that has propelled it into premiership contention. Ottens is happy with that.
He says he hasn't played any significant role in playing mentor to his teammates, or in exerting his football knowledge on the rest of the group. He's content just to fade into the background and be part of the team.
"I think I'm happy just to be involved, and if I can help out in anyway that's good, but it's more just being involved and another member of the team really, that's been good," he said.
"There hasn't been too much expected in that area.
"If there's anything I can help with, it's good, otherwise just play my role for the team.
"I don't go too far from the goalsquare.
"Bettsy's (Jay Bett) playing really well and he and I work pretty well together.
"There's a few guys, Jarrod McCorkell and Ryan Gamble's going really well. It's been good for those guys, a few new faces in the team to get up and going and to be stringing some good games together has been really good."
It is a big change for Ottens, who almost single-handedly dragged Geelong into the 2007 Grand Final, and ultimately its drought-breaking premiership.
He drew the curtain on his 245-game AFL career after a third flag in five years, finally rewarding his battered body for its years of service.
"(The body's) better for not having to run around as much and not training as much, as Spoldo would probably tell you I haven't trained a whole lot," Ottens said with a laugh.
"Obviously not having to have as many Ks in the legs makes it a bit easier but it's still a long year and it's still a really good level of footy.
"I enjoy that part of it - it's a good level of footy and a good contested level of footy and it's just been good fun.
"The boys are playing really well and are in good form so it's exciting the next month coming up.
"I was pretty keen just to have a run around, and for the social side of things - being involved in another footy side other than the Cats, and get to know a few different people in Geelong.
"The footy side of things, I've enjoyed just training and keeping a bit active. That footy banter's always good fun, and that's the same at any club you go to.
"So I've really enjoyed that side of things, it's a great club.
"I wouldn't say I'm surprised I've enjoyed it this much, but that was the reason I've played, so it's been good."
And as for the sledging that might come over the fence to a former AFL star having a kick at local level?
'There's a little bit here and there, it's probably no worse than what I've heard before, and I've heard it all before," he said.
"I've been playing for long enough to be able to handle that sort of stuff. The only difference is you can hear it a lot clearer down here. You can put a face to the voice at local level.
"But it's all in good fun, and local people are right into local footy and they're pretty passionate about it, so it's what makes it good."
Last Modified on 07/01/2013 16:18