ADELAIDE star Andrew McLeod isn't one for personal milestones, but he admits his new games record could stand the test of time at West Lakes.

On Saturday, McLeod will become the Crows' record-holder when he lines up in his 313th appearance for the club.

The 32-year-old has missed only a handful of games since making his AFL debut in 1995, but he concedes it's getting tougher for players to have careers spanning more than a decade.

"It would be a tough ask for someone to play 300 games, especially with the way teams are playing now," McLeod said on Wednesday.

"It's very high impact and the [number of] collisions [is up], so it's a lot harder to play. I probably will be surprised to see someone in the modern era play 300 games, but who's to say someone won't?"

The dual premiership player and Norm Smith medallist will overtake former teammate and good mate Mark Ricciuto at the top of the club's games record list.

McLeod said it was an honour to have his name alongside the likes of Ricciuto and club stalwart Ben Hart.

"I haven't spoken to Roo [Ricciuto] yet, but I'm sure I'll get a phone call – I had one when I played my 300th," he said.

"I'm tipping I'll get a call and it'll probably be along the lines of to do the right thing and retire [before breaking the record] like Taylor did with Bradman."

Saturday's clash with Carlton at AAMI Stadium has been nominated as McLeod's tribute match.

Fittingly McLeod, who is also the indigenous games record-holder, will celebrate his milestone in the AFL's Indigenous Round.

"It's really fallen into place. To have my tribute match on that day and also being Indigenous Round adds to it," McLeod said.

"Now that I think about it, it's going to be pretty special. I'm just excited that we get another opportunity at home and we really need a win, so that's the key for us."

McLeod, with the realisation that his illustrious career will soon draw to a close, has turned his attention to leaving a lasting legacy at West Lakes.

The five-time All-Australian helped indigenous recruit Tony Armstrong through a career-threatening bout of homesickness last year and has also served as a mentor to Jon Griffin and second-year duo Jarrhan Jacky and Jared Petrenko.
"I've been around for a long time and, a lot of the stuff they're going through, I've been through too," McLeod said

"Jarrhan comes from Broome and it's pretty similar to growing up in Darwin, so we go through the same things and we eat a lot of the same things. His mum and dad bring some turtle down and I cook it because he can't cook.

"In a few years time, if I'm not around and I see the players developing in a really strong team – that's where we're headed, to be a real power in the AFL – it would be just reward for the older blokes."

McLeod said one of his biggest challenges had been adjusting to a change in role within the team.

The 2007 All-Australian captain has relinquished some time in the midfield and with it a dozen-or-so possessions as the club prepares for life after him, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards.

McLeod said he'd been reasonably happy with his form in the opening eight rounds of the season.

"You've got to put it into perspective with the positions I've been playing," he said.

"I'm 32 and in all but one-and-a-half games this year, I've been tagged. I look forward to those challenges and it's nice to have teams still show that respect."