Gold Coast Suns forward Connor Budarick is set to play his 50th game against Carlton at Marvel Stadium this Saturday night.
The milestone is a long-awaited accomplishment for the 24-year-old, as he has found it hard to find consistency with health since being drafted in 2020.
"I feel like it's been a long time coming," Budarick told media on Monday.
"Six years in the system, I wish I could've got there quicker, but injuries and that sort of thing means it's taken it's time. But I'm really looking forward to hopefully playing the 50th."
Budarick has had to learn how to take care of his body, and mentioned how "consistent he has been at staying fit and healthy" this season.
Coach Damien Hardwick moved Budarick into a new role up forward this year, and it has seemed to be a genius move thus far. His strengths of speed, pressure, and offensive ability suit perfectly to the modern-day small forward, which is why Hardwick has kept him in the senior side for 13 games this year.
"It does suit how I can play, my strengths can correlate to that role," Budarick said.
Budarick has averaged 12 disposals in those games, but he has been more of a player who impacts the team outside of the normal counting stats.
Gold Coast are close to making their first ever finals with a potential of a top four finish, but they are focused on what's in front of them first.
"Remaining where our feet are, focusing on the present and the next shift," Budarick said.
