And who could blame him?

I'Anson is set to play in his first senior decider despite being about to blow out the candles on his 36^th birthday cake later this month.

The strong marking forward made his debut as a 16-year-old for Burrumbuttock in 1999 - long before talks of the league's most successful merger had even begun.

Fast forward two decades and I'Anson is on the cusp of his childhood dream of playing in a flag with his hometown club.

"I'm pretty excited to be honest - grand finals don't come around very often," I'Anson said.

"Personally I've played in my fair share of finals but not a grand final.

"I've found it tough to crack it for a senior game with the amount of quality key forwards we have had at the club in recent seasons.

"With guys the calibre of Kylin Morey, Nick Brockley and Aidan Johnson spearheading our attack in recent years, I've never had the opportunity to play in a grand final.

"So if I get the chance on Saturday, I'll grab it with both hands."

Since making his debut, I'Anson has notched more than 250 matches combined in the seniors and reserves.

Senior appearances have proven to be slim pickings for the burly forward since the Saints replaced Osborne as the league powerhouse at the start of the decade.

The merged identity will be contesting its fifth grand final in the past seven seasons.

The Saints boast a lethal grand final record, winning all four deciders they have contested in the past six years.

I'Anson played seconds the entire season before earning a senior berth against Henty in round 16.

He didn't disappoint and repaid the faith shown by coach Kade Stevens to kick four goals.

"We had a few injuries and it was by sheer luck that I managed to get a game," he said.

"I was lucky enough to be able to kick a few and hold my spot.

"Stevo has been able to instill a lot of faith and confidence and there is one hurdle left to jump - it just happens to be the biggest."

Young gun Darcy I'Anson is Adam's cousin while premiership coach and Azzi medallist Luke Schilg is his brother-in-law.

I'Anson said he had been plagued by a dodgy knee throughout his career.

"The knee has always been a bit iffy," he said.

"I dislocated my knee cap a couple of times but that has happened for the past decade.

"Truth be known, I probably need a reconstruction but I couldn't be bothered going to see the specialist.

"My grandfather had to have a knee reconstruction years ago and he ended up getting a golden staph infection and they had to cut the bloody thing off."

I'Anson is a qualified Ag Pilot by trade which requires a commercial pilots licence.

He's hoping the Saints will be flying high by 5pm Saturday.

"Osborne are a quality outfit and always hard to beat," he said.

"But we are fully aware it takes a lot of work to get to a grand final and it takes even more to win them."