Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury hopes his 250th AFL game will provide the season-reviving victory his side desperately needs.
The Magpies lowered their colours with a 31-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday to remain stuck in 13th place.
With just five wins to their name, the Pies' chances of making the finals are looking increasingly remote.
Pendlebury will become the first player from the 2005 draft to reach 250 games when Collingwood face Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
The 29-year-old, who recently became a father for the first time, says he has had little time to reflect on the milestone and is more focused on what's at stake for the Pies.
"As players, you just get caught up in the week to week so much," he said on Monday.
"It will be amazing if we can get a win and get our season going again.
"To get to 250, I'm really proud but I haven't really thought about it too much."
A premiership player, Norm Smith medallist, five-time All-Australian and five-time Collingwood best and fairest, Pendlebury has been one of the most consistently excellent players of the last decade.
He has remained one of the Magpies' best players in his 12th season and hopes to add plenty more games to his tally.
"It feels really quick to this point that I've got to 250," he said.
"I'd love to get to 300 or 350 but I've got to make sure I take care of 250 first."
Collingwood's ball movement has been a concern all season and didn't improve on Saturday, with the Pies winning by far the most disposals but often turning the ball over.
Pendlebury said it was his side's defensive work, rather than their ball use, which had let them down.
The Pies are again likely to be without Jamie Elliott for Sunday's clash, with the star forward yet to recover fully from his ankle injury.
Midfielder Daniel Wells remains several weeks away but fellow veteran Travis Varcoe is a chance to return for the Hawks clash.
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