AS CHAD Wingard prepares to line up for his 100th match, he is already being touted as a future great of Port Adelaide and possible the club's greatest of all time.
And that's from retired Power champion Kane Cornes.
Writing in a column for News Corp, Cornes said Wingard could one day surpass Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen and premiership captain Warren Tredrea.
Although Wingard took notice, he said it is something he does not get overly concerned with.
"I don't read too much of that stuff. Because it was Kane Cornes, I did give it a read, because I have so much respect for him," Wingard told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.
"It's something I don't really ponder over or have a look at. I'm still young and it's something that I'll obviously respect his opinion but it's something that I don't really believe in.
"I come in every week and try to just be the best I can. I don't really worry about where I stand or what I've done in my career."
Since being drafted at No.6 in 2011, the fewest number of matches he has played in a season was the 19 he managed in his debut year.
In 2016, he has missed two games, round three with a hamstring issue and round six with concussion.
It has certainly been a brilliant career thus far, and Fremantle will need to limit Wingard's influence if the Dockers are to make it three wins in a row on Saturday at Domain Stadium.
By the 22-year-old's own high standards, there are still aspects of his game to work on.
"I think it's been a little bit inconsistent, but it's been a great learning curve. I didn't think I was going to get 100 this quickly," Wingard said.
Despite being a valuable contributor in the forward line, Wingard sees the next stage of his development coming in a different part of the ground.
"I still see myself in the future as a midfielder. It might not be in the next year or two, but hopefully eventually that's what I can work towards," he said.
There's plenty on the line for Port this week. After an agonising three-point loss at home to the Western Bulldogs, the Power are in ninth position, trailing West Coast by a win and a little over 15 per cent.
Wingard is hopeful key forward Jay Schulz can return from a back injury that has limited him to playing in just the season-opener against St Kilda.
"This is obviously the target game, the game before the bye," Wingard said.
"Schulzy hopefully can play this week but obviously it's only Monday. I haven't had a chat with him yet."
Will this Port 100-gamer be the greatest Power player of all?
Port star plays down high praise ahead of game 100