Dyson Heppell's 150th AFL game has snuck up on him but it's likely he would have reached the milestone much sooner if not for Essendon's year from hell.
Heppell has been a near constant-presence for the Bombers since his debut season in 2011 when he played 23 games and won the Rising Star award.
The glaring exception is 2016 when he - along with 33 other past and present Essendon players - was forced to sit out the entire season as a result of the club's supplements saga.
Heppell was appointed captain upon his return in 2017 and true to form, hasn't missed a game since despite recently carrying groin soreness.
The 26-year-old will mark his 150th game when the Bombers face Richmond at the MCG on Friday night.
Heppell cites two of the saga's key figures - former coach James Hird and captain Jobe Watson - as being among the biggest influences on his career and has stayed in touch with both men following their respective retreats from AFL life.
The connection with boyhood idol Hird, who has begun to reconnect with the football world after battling mental health issues, is significant given Hird was influential in the decision to draft the Gippsland Power product.
"Hirdy was a fantastic influence in the early days of my career," Heppell said.
"He gave me my first opportunity and is someone I really looked up to. I'm still in touch with him and it's great to see him travelling well.
"I've had a number of great teammates as role models throughout the course of my career, Jobe being a major influence not only on field, but as a leader.
"I still keep in touch with Jobe. We're good friends still and he's always there for advice."
The Bombers have won nine of their last 12 games and coach John Worsfold has identified Heppell's leadership as a key to their improvement.
"It was probably just trying to stay measured right throughout that period where we were having poor form and eventually it turned around," Heppell said.
"I wouldn't say it's anything off the back of what I've done but a number of guys being able to step up and really help me with my leadership."
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