Green Island midfielder Levi Harmon broke two bones in one final and scored two tries in the next.
He "snapped" his tibia and fibula in his right leg two minutes into the 2021 Dunedin club final and spent the next year in a moon boot.
He made several attempts to return to rugby but his dicky leg was no good.
It was still no good at the start of the season and he thought about quitting.
But there was nothing wrong with his leg when he bashed through a sandwich tackle midway through the second half to score at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
And there was nothing wrong with his leg when he cut in, sold a dummy, and swerved back out on a run to the line to bag a second.
His effort helped Green Island secure their first senior banner since 1978 with a 21-15 win over Dunedin.
"This one was definitely better, mate", Harmon said when asked about his contrasting fortunes in the two finals he has played in for Green Island.
"I’m just over the moon. It didn’t feel real when the whistle blew, especially with how it ended and them right on our tryline", he said.
Dunedin spent the last 10 minutes camped in the Green Island 22m, desperately probing for a weakness where there was none.
"I was going to call it at the start of the season because of the pain I was in after my first couple of games", he said.
"But, I don’t know, I just wanted to continue."
It hurt to run but "I thought, nah, I’m just going to push through. Take a couple of panadol and harden up."
Green Island will be pleased Harmon persisted as he played a starring role in a victory that broke a 46-year drought.
A crowd of about 5000 watched the final live and a huge percentage of them were in Green Island colours.
"It is just unreal to see the supporters come out today.
"There are jerseys and things hanging on trees throughout Green Island and the support has been incredible.
"This is the best feeling ever. It feels like a dream, to be honest."
