When Jack Redden lined up for the first time in a senior match with the Brisbane Lions in Round 15 of 2009, never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that he would go on to play 100 consecutive senior matches.
But that’s what lies ahead of him this Sunday when the Lions host Geelong at the Gabba.
In fact, Redden is set to become just the second person in the Club’s all-time history and eighth player in 118 years of VFL/AFL history, to play 100 games from his debut.
He will join Jared Crouch (194 games from debut for the Sydney Swans), John Murphy (158 games from debut for Fitzroy), David Mundy (124 games from debut for Fremantle), Steven Wallis (113 games from debut for Footscray), Allan Woodley (110 games from debut for Hawthorn), Shane Woewodin (107 games from debut for Melbourne) and Ian Law (100 games from debut for Hawthorn) in this exclusive group.
So what’s the secret to his supreme durability?
There isn’t one according to Redden, who doesn’t believe in superstitions and says that you simply have to “prepare every week as best you can”.
Reaching 100 games is significant for Lions players in more ways than one, as it entitles them to have their name etched into their locker at the Gabba.
Redden will become just the fourth player to appear on the Number 30 locker, along with two-time Lions premiership player Robert Copeland (143 games), and Fitzroy greats Horrie Dawson (140 games) and Don Furness (136 games).
Considering the South Australian’s durability, he’s every chance to become the ‘most capped’ Number 30 in the Club’s combined history by the end of 2015 – when he’s just 24 years of age!
Mr. Durable reaches 100
Jack Redden has not missed a senior match since making his debut in 2009