Bushrangers paceman Darren Pattinson admits he 'rolled the dice' when he grasped the new ball and marked out his run-up in the second innings against Tasmania at the MCG on Friday.
The 30-year-old had spent much of the previous 36 hours receiving treatment for calf tightness which had forced him to withdraw from the Bushrangers attack mid-way through the Tigers' first innings.
With the Vics already qualified for a 'home' final, Pattinson was probably entitled to rest his suspect calf to save himself for next Wednesday's Sheffield Shield decider against arch-rivals Queensland.
But the selectors wanted proof positive that he was right to go.
Pattinson gave it to them with his best spell for the season - a devastating burst of seven overs that produced 3-12 which helped to set up Victoria's innings win.
Better still, it was pain-free.
"I had to bowl in the second innings or I wouldn't be picked for the Shield final, and luckily I got through," said Pattinson.
"The coaching staff wanted to see me go out and have another spell to make sure it was right because the last time I'd done this injury before Christmas it happened in a second spell ... so I probably had to do that just to show the coaches that I could get through."
"I couldn't have waited - they wouldn't have picked me - so I had to get out there, and it's pulled up fine."
"If I'd torn the muscle then there's not enough time for it to heal before next week anyway."
Pattinson said he was inspired by the disappointment of missing out on last season's Shield final, also against the Bulls.
Back then, Shane Harwood, Dirk Nannes and Clint McKay were preferred to partner Damien Wright in a four-man pace battery that got the job done at the Junction Oval.
Twelve months on, Harwood is injured, Nannes has retired from first-class cricket and McKay is away on national duty.
"In the last two games of last season I bowled pretty well, but obviously we had the big guns coming back and I missed out," he said.
"It's been a dream to play in a shield final so hopefully next week it comes true."
"We're in a situation where we haven't got much to pick from, but I'm happy to get a game wherever I can. Hopefully I'm doing the job for the coach."
"I like playing cricket all the time and no-one likes being left out so it's been great that I feel a part of the team, and to get a chance in the Shield final is excellent."
History strongly favours the Vics in the final - only five of 27 Shield deciders have been won by 'away' teams, the most recent by New South Wales against Queensland at the Gabba in 2004-05.
Pattinson said the Vics appreciate the benefits of playing at the 'G', but they're taking nothing for granted.
"Conditions here are totally different to what they are at the Gabba and we know how to play this ground really well," he said.
"That's something they'll have to contend with and something we know we're good at. Obviously it's a massive bonus to have the final here."