It's the seventh time in eight years that Subiaco Lions have made it to the grand final, which surprised even Delahunty.

"It's been an enjoyable year, probably one that I didn't think that - as a team - we'd be able to front up to as well as we've had."

However, the season wasn't without its drama.

READ MORE:

For Delahunty personally, 2021 was an "inconsistent" season thanks to a trip home to the Wimmera,

However,t it'll be worth it for the forward-turned ruckman if Subiaco can come home with the chocolates on Saturday.

"It's been a little bit inconsistent in terms of being able to play; I came back to Murtoa to visit the family in the middle of the year and got stuck with a two-week quarantine on my trip back to Perth," he said.

"It took me a couple of weeks to get myself right to play again, but I guess that's the nature of COVID-19, you don't know when anything's going to happen."

"I just had a treadmill and a bike, so I had to take some time off afterwards to get myself up to match fitness."

"I was lucky enough to get through it and finish the year off strongly, and we were lucky enough to get ourselves into the grand final.

MORE NEWS:

Delahunty has played in four premierships with Subiaco from six consecutive grand finals, winning in 2014-2015 and 2018-2019.

However, he said the experience wouldn't stop the nerves on Saturday.

"It certainly doesn't get easier in terms of nullifying any sort of nervous energy," he said.

"It's a grand final; you'd never take it for granted, particularly after we missed finals last year.

"I'm in the back end of my career now, so this could potentially be it; if anything, I've got more energy than I've had in previous years.

"There may not be another chance for me. I want to go out in the right fashion."

It might be the tail end of his career, but Delahunty has been in career-best form since his switch from centre-half forward to ruckman in 2019.

OTHER NEWS:

The switch helped him win the 2019 Sandover Medal, and in 2020 he was named in the WAFL's team of the year.

Delahunty will join his teammates running out onto Optus Stadium, which hosted its first AFL grand final this year.

The venue is unforgettable, according to Delahunty, who played the 2018 and 2019 grand finals there.

"It's magnificent; it's incredible," he said.

"It's got that real Coloseum feel... lots of sound. It's electric when you run out."

The WAFL Grand Final opening bounce is set to take place 5.20pm AEST on Saturday, October 2.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: