IT'S ONE of those freezing Melbourne mornings in July where the thought of venturing outside wearing less than winter woollies is far from appealing.

For the Collingwood boys, the Tuesday routine of plunging into the waters of St Kilda beach before running up to the steamy warmth of the Sea Baths wearing just shorts has become all too familiar.

Tarkyn Lockyer has already finished his triple-hit of dips in the varying waters, and is already dreading the players' next appointment with the body-shocking recovery technique.

But, on the eve of his 100th consecutive game, the 28-year-old knows deep down that the process is one of many reasons why he's become one of the game's most durable players.

"I suppose the older you get, the wiser you become in knowing your body. You know what you have to do from week to week to get the best out of yourself and feel like you're ready to play," he told collingwoodfc.com.au, as he stood huddled on the boardwalk of St Kilda this week.

"I don't think there's any real secret. You have to do the right things off the ground to make sure you get the on-field stuff right.

"From that point of view, I just try and make sure I do all that each week to make sure I'm right to go.

"[Sea recovery] is not enjoyable but it makes a huge difference. When you really notice it is when you don't do it, how sore you can be.

"It's a bit of pain, but it's actually more mental than anything else. You have to train the mind, I think. It's just part of modern football."

Lockyer will run out for his 100th-straight appearance this Saturday against Essendon, having first kicked off the impressive run of games in round 10, 2004.

It's a sequence so rare in football that there are only four other players – Matthew Pavlich, Brett Kirk, Kane Cornes and Ryan O'Keefe – who have current active streaks of 100 games or more.

In the four-and-a-bit years it has taken Lockyer to notch up this rare milestone, he admitted there have been times when he's been very close to having a week off.

"There's been a few. Your form does fluctuate here and there, and obviously it's a contact sport so you're going to struggle to get up for some weeks," he said.

"I suppose I've been lucky that I've remained relatively injury free."

Having missed 31 straight games across 2003 and 2004 – including the 2003 Grand Final – owing to injury, Lockyer could have been forgiven for thinking such a streak was beyond him.

First, he did his knee in round three, 2003, which ended his season. Then, a broken foot early in 2004 meant he didn't start his senior year until round 10 that year.

"I suppose having spent so much time on the sidelines when I was injured really does make you appreciate how lucky you are to still be playing," he said.

"Even being injured has taught me a few lessons in getting yourself right and making sure you're ready to go.

"To have played 99 in a row, and hopefully 100 in a row, is a pretty good achievement."

Ultimately, Lockyer said just getting back to play a solitary game after his torrid run was a victory within itself.

"I had a few setbacks along the way, so just getting one in a row was an achievement," he said.

"You always have the mindset that you are going to get back and play again, and when you do, you just want to be a contributor and do your bit for the team

"I'd like to think that I've done that over the last few years and hopefully I can continue to do that in the future."