Gold Coast forward Ben Long will play his 100th AFL game on Sunday when his team faces Essendon at People First Stadium.
The former St Kilda player is coming off strong form for the Suns after a positional change at the beginning of the year under new coach Damien Hardwick.
Long said that reaching the 100-game milestone means a lot to him and his family.
"It's been a bit of a journey," Long told media during the week.
"It's a credit to my family and friends, obviously footy is a dream of mine – playing at AFL level – and I'm just really grateful to tick it off, it's exciting.
"I'll have a bit of family coming down, which will be good.
"I'll see Mum and Dad – who I don't see often throughout the season – so it'll be good to have them down supporting me on the day."
Long played 79 games across six seasons with St Kilda after originally being taken with pick 25 in the 2016 National Draft.
The Territorian was traded to the Suns at the end of the 2022 season and has emerged as a leader among the strong contingent of Top End players that the club has on its list.
He has generally been used in defence, but the Suns have benefited from his ferocious attack on the man and football up forward in 2024.
Long started the season in the VFL but after kicking 11 goals from his opening three games, he was quickly promoted to the AFL team, where he has since averaged more than a goal per game.
The 26-year-old said that he has relished the opportunity to play in the attacking half.
"It's been really good, I've had a full pre-season up forward, found some form in the VFL and got my opportunity," Long said.
"I guess it's come down to nailing my role and being part of the team, I've had great support around me, especially the boys I'm next to in Kingy (Ben King) and Luko (Jack Lukosius), so it's been good.
"I've played forward before and I've played some good games there so I just have to continue to build on that and learn from my mistakes."
Long said that despite spending some time in the VFL across the past two seasons, he feels at home at the Suns.
"You have thoughts throughout the season about where you fit into the team, but I guess that's just part of the game, being at an AFL club," he said.
"Obviously (it has been) two years at the club now and I feel like I've settled in at the club.
"There's great people at the club, my teammates especially, they make me feel welcome."
The Suns face Essendon on Sunday on the Gold Coast, where they are unbeaten from four matches so far this season.
"We obviously have got a good streak here at home, building a fortress," Long said.
"I think (this week's game) is going to be close to a sell-out, so it's good playing at home in front of our home crowd."
