Two milestones have passed in recent weeks without the fanfare they have probably deserved.
And one player has been central to these terrific feats.
Andrew Mackie this season has surpassed the most games in the number four jumper in VFL/AFL history and, on Friday night, became the quickest player to register 200 wins.
First, to the feat of playing the most games wearing number four. Mackie’s tally of 268 games so far in his career is a testament to the fact he has been more durable and good enough to retain his spot for longer than names such as Bob Davis, Stephen Kernahan, Gavin Wanganeen, Norm Smith and Ross Glendinning.
Mackie was selected with pick 7 in the 2002 draft. There were audible gasps when his name was read out as the Cats selected the skinny kid from Sacred Heart College.
Not many recruiters had even heard of him. Yet here were the Cats taking him in top 10, a pick they had only had three times in the preceding 10 years.
Three AFL premierships, two pre-season premierships and an All-Australian in 2013 don’t tell the full tale for Mackie though.
Since his debut in 2004, Mackie has never personally played in a season with a worse than 50% winning record. In fact in his 268 games he has an incredible 74.81% winning record.
It is easy to say the reason Mackie is the quickest player to 200 wins in VFL/AFL history is because of the amazing Cats era he has played in. But there is more to it than that. Mackie is one of the reasons behind the Cats incredible era.
Mackie is one of the most loved teammates in the Cats locker room. His voice, leadership and ruthlessness is admired by all. On-field his skill and football brain are nearly unmatched.
While his 84 kilogram frame might not lend itself to this saying, Cats players walk taller when Mackie is on the field.
When all is said and done, Mackie will go down as one of the Cats’ greats and deservingly will hold a place in the AFL history books for the indelible mark he leaves on the game.
The only thing more certain is him kicking a goal on the run from 50m out.
MOST GAMES IN No. 4 JUMPER
Andrew Mackie (Geelong) 268
Mick Martyn (North Melbourne, Carlton) 265
Stephen Kernahan (Carlton) 251
Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon, Port Adelaide) 239
Ross Glendinning (North Melbourne, West Coast) 230
