David Nofoaluma knows how long September can be.
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The Wests Tigers winger, on loan to Melbourne, is the second-most capped active player without an NRL finals appearance to his name.
When he began his career in 2013, the Tigers' now infamous finals drought was only a year old and things were looking up with the arrival of highly rated Super League coach Mick Potter.
But as the years went by, Nofoaluma and his teammates watched on as literally everyone else had their chance at September football.
No other side has failed to make a finals appearance in the years since the Tigers last did.
Nofoaluma eventually found it too hard to turn the TV on once the regular season finished.
"I watched the first few years but seeing the players receive their rings and hold the premiership trophy, it hurt," he told reporters.
"It's obviously a credit to the players on those teams who have done it in the past.
"(But) I try not to watch it."
When a spate of injuries in the outside backs prompted Melbourne to secure Nofoaluma on a loan deal, the winger smelled the chance to feature in the play-offs.
And now, after 180 first grade games, Nofoaluma's wait will finally come to an end when the Storm face Canberra in an elimination final this weekend.
"It's every player's dream," he said.
"You play this game to win premierships and be successful.
"I'm definitely excited. I don't think it'll hit me until we get closer to the game."
The Storm head into the finals series on the back of consecutive losses but recent games against fellow premiership aspirants Penrith, the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta have given Nofoaluma a preview of what he is walking into.
"When we played Penrith ... the boys let me know that that was similar to finals," he said.
"I can't wait to soak it in."
But it's mixed feelings for Nofoaluma, whose name has become synonymous with the Tigers.
His Tigers teammate and close friend Luke Brooks is the only active player to have played more games without a finals appearance.
Nofoaluma admitted he would have loved for the pair to have ended their droughts together.
"I had a laugh with Brooksy, he was filthy," Nofoaluma said.
"I said, 'what's wrong? And he goes, 'you're going to play finals and we're going to be watching!'
"Their season is done after this week and it's funny me saying that because that's usually me."
As tempting as a longer stay in Melbourne would be, Nofoaluma insists he will honour his contract and return to his mates at the Tigers at the end of the year.
"There are contracts and stuff in place," he said.
"My focus is not on that, my focus is on putting all my energy into the finals with Melbourne and going on to hopefully win the premiership."
Australian Associated Press
