There is no job too big or too small for Dane Rampe, who is revelling in his role as Sydney's Mr Fix-It.
Two years ago Rampe was in the stands at ANZ Stadium as a fan, watching his beloved Swans knock off Collingwood for a berth in the 2012 final. But on Friday night the defender is set to play a vital role in the preliminary final against North Melbourne.
If there is a spotfire in Sydney's back line there is a strong chance Rampe will be the man Swans coach John Longmire will call to put it out.
He has good reason, too, given Rampe's recent form.
Against Richmond in round 23, he was given the job of quelling a rampant Jack Riewoldt in the second term. Despite conceding seven centimetres and four kilograms to Riewoldt, who stands 195 centimetres, Rampe limited the dual Coleman medallist to just one more goal.
A week later, he had the task of minding Fremantle whippets Hayden Ballantyne (174 centimetres) and Michael Walters (177 centimetres) at various stages. The pair managed one goal between them.
"My strength is my one-on-ones and my ability to play on the talls or smalls. When things weren't going right for Teddy [Richards] against Riewoldt, as soon as the change came I was really excited about it," Rampe said.
"That's my role in the team, I don't have to get 30 touches or do anything spectacular off the half-back line. I get a kick out of those roles and continue to do so."
This week, he looms as an ideal match-up for Jack Ziebell, the 188 centimetre North Melbourne midfielder who is considered an exceptional mark for his size, though it would not be surprising to see Rampe spend time on goal sneak Lindsay Thomas or possibly even Drew Petrie or Ben Brown if either of the Kangaroos key forwads run riot. That is the lot of a Mr Fix-It.
"If that's the name I'm getting I can definitely hang my hat on that, that's something I can be proud of," Rampe said. "I love when Horse [Longmire] comes to me and says 'you have so and so'."
Rampe's importance to the Swans highlights his meteoric rise from park footballer to mature-age rookie and now a vital cog in the Swans' defence.
Even with 46 games under his belt, the Sydney born and raised Rampe, 24, still finds it hard to believe he is now playing for the team he supported as a kid.
Although he lives within cooee of the SCG, Rampe's path to the Swans included a year in Melbourne, where he played with Williamstown in the VFL in a bid to be drafted.
After narrowly missing out on the final slot on the Western Bulldogs' list, he came back "tail between the legs" to Sydney disappointed and no longer enjoying his football.
It took a chance encounter with former Swans coach Paul Roos while playing for UNSW/Eastern Suburbs in Sydney's AFL competition for Rampe to appear on the Swans' radar.
"I completely fluked a spot in the Swans, Roosy was watching with his son at one of our games," Rampe said. "That's what makes me pinch myself, I can't believe it."
