Gary Ablett Jnr, Sam Mitchell, Robert Harvey, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Jack Macrae.
It’s a list of the very best midfielders and ball finders in the game, rightly Jack Macrae now sits among them.
The vice-captain’s 31 possession performance against the Hawks last week created history, his 100th match with 30+ disposals in his career.
This weekend is his 200th game.
To put that into perspective, every second game Macrae is finding the ball 30 times… now that is a statistic.
Perennially underrated, the 27-year-old has become a consistent contributor every week and was rewarded in 2022 with the vice captaincy, an accolade the midfielder has cherished.
He’s the ultimate team man, competes like every game is his last and plays any role for the team.
His football CV speaks for itself; a premiership player, three-time All Australian and Gary Aryes Medallist, Macrae comfortably sits as one of the competition’s best.
The journey began at Carey Baptist College for the nuggety left footer, playing a full year of school footy after missing out on U18s selection as an under-ager.
Coached by North Melbourne legend David King, Macrae claimed the best and fairest that season, before being picked in the Oakleigh Chargers the following year.
Averaging 25 touches a game for the Chargers, Macrae skyrocketed into draft calculations and was eventually taken at pick six in 2012.
Macrae made his debut early in 2013 before asserting himself the following season, becoming the youngest player to record 40 disposals in Round 17, before claiming runner-up in the Bulldogs fairest and best in just his second season.
His consistency has remained ever since.
The midfielder claimed 33 touches in the Bulldog’s drought-breaking 2016 premiership victory and is now currently in the midst of three-straight All Australian jackets.
When signing a five-year deal earlier this season, a quote stood out that summarises Macrae’s attitude towards football.
“This Club means an enormous amount to me and my family and I couldn’t be happier to commit my future to the Western Bulldogs,” Macrae said.
“I’m extremely passionate about the direction this club is taking, and I am so proud to wear the red, white and blue every week.
His simple but effective approach is why his teammates love playing with the ball magnet and it’s been 200 games of floorless footy.
Judging by his 50% strike-rate, hopefully it is another big performance on his milestone weekend.
