Cats forward Steven Motlop says there was a time when he thought he may never make it to the 100-game mark as an AFL player.

Taken by Geelong at pick 39 in the 2008 draft, Motlop was forced to bide his time through one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, only to dislocate his shoulder in the second quarter of his debut in round 2, 2010.

Six years later, the now 25-year-old has clearly established himself in the Cats’ best 22 and as one of the most exciting players in the competition.

“It’s pretty special,” Motlop told reporters of his milestone on Wednesday morning at Simonds Stadium.

“I’m in my eighth year now and I never thought I would have played 100 games at this club and I’m really proud to do that.

“It took a little while. The side was winning premierships and it took me a few years to get into the side. I’m really happy now and I’m really happy that I’m playing here.”

The younger brother of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne forward Daniel and former Kangaroos’ premiership player Shannon, Motlop enjoyed his most consistent season in 2015 to finish runner-up in the Carji Greeves Medal behind winner Mark Blicavs.

Though playing predominantly as a midfielder, added depth in that area of the ground this year has seen Motlop move further into the Cats’ forward half in a role reminiscent of his early career and one he is relishing.

“I’m happy to play anywhere and we’ve got a really young forward line at the moment which I’m really liking playing with them and some new faces I haven’t really played [with],” he said.

“It’s just really fun at the moment.”

So far in 2016, Motlop has already enjoyed career-high averages in areas such as disposals, marks, metres gained and more across the board.

Whilst his form has arguably tapered off slightly in recent weeks to currently average 20 disposals, four marks, five inside 50’s and two goals a game, he has proven that if Geelong is indeed to return to finals action this season then Steven Motlop will be pivotal in making that dream a reality.

“Definitely winning is the best feeling. I’ve played in a couple of finals with the club and they’ve been really big moments in my career,” Motlop said.

“It would be good to play in a [grand final]. I’ve missed a couple of them and I look towards the future.”