The centre-half-forward has played in five senior grand finals across his career and lost them all – including the last two seasons with the Bulldogs against Brock-Burrum and Osborne.

But D’Arcy admitted there is a different feeling around the camp this season.

He believes coming from fifth and playing sudden death football throughout the finals series has been an advantage for Jindera.

“We’ve been able to build that momentum going in as opposed to the stop-start nature that the top-six can throw at you sometimes,” he said.

“The momentum we’ve gained over the last few weeks and the confidence out of those close wins, especially being behind early, has helped.

“It’s our third grand final in a row, so we’ve focused on separating it from the last few years and treating it like an opportunity to win a grand final.”

D’Arcy is in his fourth year at Jindera since moving from Caloundra in Queensland.

“I played a year with Michael Blomeley (at Caloundra) and he moved back down and I was looking for a bit of a change, which presented itself,” D’Arcy said.

“I think a lot of people are surprised about the standard up there because generally the teams are more spread out.

“There’s not as many teams in such a small area, so you’re playing against Brisbane and Gold Coast teams as well.

“I always find it hard to compare (to the Hume League).

“Generally since I’ve been there (at Jindera) I’ve played centre-half-forward, but we haven’t really had that power forward like we did this year with Trent (Castles) in my time at the club.

“It’s probably freed me up a little bit because generally I was the only tall in the forward line and would get the best defender.

“Personally, it’s been my best year since I’ve been here and I’ve probably got Trent to thank for that.”

D’Arcy’s brother, Tim, currently has the bragging rights in the family after playing in Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s premiership against Thurgoona in the Tallangatta league last weekend.

Tim departed Jindera the day before the clearance deadline and played just his fourth senior game for the Hawks in the grand final.