Mitch Duncan never lost confidence that he would reach the 300-game milestone despite starting his season in the VFL.
The 33-year-old will become the seventh Geelong player to reach the mark when he runs out for tomorrow (Thursday) night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium.
Duncan started his 16th AFL season on 296 games but had to wait until the Round 7 meeting with Collingwood to get his opportunity this year.
He has since played in the loss to the GWS Giants and last week’s hammering of Port Adelaide, where he started as the sub before coming on in the first quarter as the replacement for the injured Jack Bowes.
“I’ve actually really enjoyed playing VFL this year,” Duncan said. “I suppose you get back to basics.
“And I suppose for the next period of my life, I want to go down that coaching element, and to be able to do that with the young kids here, it’s a great opportunity.
“I always had confidence deep down that this day would come.
“I back my ability and have great trust in the conversations we have with the right people, and I think the way it’s been managed and handled has been first class from probably all ends.”
Coach Chris Scott was quick to laud how Duncan has carried himself since returning for pre-season training late last year.
“A lot of players say the right words – and Mitch has alluded to it over the years – it’s something to the effect of, ‘I’ll play wherever you need me’,” Scott said.
“But he really meant that, and through this pre-season and the early parts of this season, when Mitch said, ‘I’ll just do what’s required of me, and I’ll give myself every chance. And if I play in the VFL, I’ll embrace that and I’ll help coach the younger guys’ – I can’t think of anyone who’s done it as well as Mitch.
“And he just played and trained so well that our intention was to prioritise a few younger players early in the year, but he just hasn’t missed a beat.
“And this is not a situation where we’re finding a spot for Mitch in the team. He’s just been performing too well to not have him.”
Duncan joins former teammates Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood, Corey Enright, and Jimmy Bartel, along with Cats greats Ian Nankervis and Sam Newman, in reaching the milestone.
“It’s funny when you look at them (names), because you just never thought you’d probably be in that company,” he said
“And I probably won’t reflect on it that much until, you know, maybe time’s done, which is definitely probably closer now than at the start of the career, that’s for sure.
“But, yeah, there’s amazing names.”
Geelong will announce its team for tomorrow night’s clash early tonight, with up to three changes likely.
Captain Patrick Dangerfield and utility Jack Bowes will be sidelined with hamstring issues, with Scott hinting at a third change.
Vice-captain Tom Stewart will return from a knee injury, with veteran ruck Rhys Stanley also available after injuring his hamstring against Collingwood.
Scott confirmed rookie Ted Clohesy and uncapped midfielder George Stevens would be in the squad.
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