Massimo D'Ambrosio has never been about proving his doubters wrong.
Instead, as the young Hawk takes flight, he prefers to prove his backers right.
A former mid-season selection, D'Ambrosio, 21, played 16 games across one-and-a-half seasons at Essendon mainly off half-back, but was relegated to the substitute role in his final four appearances.
Essendon were slow in offering a contract and Hawthorn swooped, with coach Sam Mitchell selling D'Ambrosio a two-year deal and a new role on the wing.
"The whole year, I was just literally trying to talk to them, Essendon, and trying to figure out a way to get a contract and nothing really came about," D'Ambrosio told AAP.
"After I got an injury I was really anxious about where my career sat and I didn't really get reassurance from them that they were gonna give anything - and I got a bit more security here, which was great.
"I'm just really thankful to be at the club now and I haven't really looked back - I just try to take in every moment and enjoy every wave that comes with it."
D'Ambrosio has been one of the recruits of the year, averaging 20.8 disposals, with his silky left foot a feature of the Hawks' run to finals.
But he has no plans of pushing his success in Essendon's face.
"I didn't really want to prove anyone wrong to be honest. I wanted to prove the people in my corner and myself and everyone else right," he said.
"For sure I knew I could get here, in the position I am now, and I just needed someone to believe in me, and Sam did, and I feel like a lot of the players are now."
D'Ambrosio embraced the wing and was arguably unlucky not to be named All-Australian this season.
"It's been great for me and my footy. I always wanted to do that and get involved in a lot more scoring opportunities," he said.
"It was obviously very humbling to even be in the squad, to be honest, and it's just crazy to even be in the conversation.
"From where I've come from, I honestly just wanted to play every game this year and as many games as I could, and to come this far and be in contention for that was amazing.
"But I'm really looking forward to the finals and that's where my mind's been this whole time, and hopefully we can win a flag. That's the ultimate goal."
D'Ambrosio has every bit of belief the Hawks can best the Bulldogs in Friday night's elimination final at the MCG, then go on a golden run.
"We know what we need to bring to win games and play on our terms," he said.
"If we bring that Friday night we'll give ourselves the best chance to win."
