Matt Suckling is set to play his 150th game this weekend when the Bulldogs take on the Crows at the Adelaide Oval.
150 games is always a big moment, but with the ups and downs Suckling has gone through to get there, it means that much more.
As a rookie, Suckling waited to years to make his debut with the Hawks in 2009. Since then, he has suffered two season ending injuries which resulted in him missing out on playing in two grand finals where his team took home the trophy.
Fortunately for Suckling, he was able to be apart of two premiership-winning sides in Hawthorn and has a career full of memories he looks back on fondly.
"I probably haven’t reflected on (the milestone) too much yet, but it’s probably something I didn’t think I’d get once I started my career," Suckling told AFL.com.au.
"I got delisted (at Hawthorn) in my first couple of years and then had some success.
"I did my ACL (in 2013) and had to miss the whole year, watch the boys play in a grand final and then change clubs, which was hard also.
"Having an Achilles injury and watching the (Bulldogs) play in the 2016 Grand Final as well was also hard, but it does build some resilience as you get older.
"150 games is a special achievement and probably once I’m done, I’ll be able to reflect and be pretty proud of what I’ve achieved so far."
Suckling's been in the league for almost a decade and credits great mentors and coaches for his ability to make it this far.
