CO-CAPTAIN Callan Ward brings up the 100-game milestone on Saturday hoping he'll soon have more Greater Western Sydney teammates around him who have reached that figure.
Ward, who played 60 games with the Western Bulldogs before making the move to Sydney, will become just the fifth player on the GWS list to chalk up 100 career games.
He joins Stephen Gilham, Dean Brogan, Bret Thornton and the recently retired Chad Cornes.
Of the others, Gilham is probably the only one likely to play on in 2014, meaning there will be a dearth of experienced stocks at year's end.
Ward credits the veterans he has played with for showing him how to act as a professional and wants more of them at the Giants to help show the club's youngsters how it's done.
"It's pretty obvious when you've got experienced guys on the training track," Ward told AFL.com.au on Thursday.
"They always work the hardest.
"I was at the Bulldogs for four years and played under some great leaders in Matthew Boyd, Rob Murphy, Daniel Giansiracusa, Daniel Cross, Brad Johnson, all these type of guys.
"At the Giants, it's been a privilege playing under Luke Power, who was a co-captain last year, and the experience of Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes and James McDonald.
"I've learned plenty from them and train really hard now because of them.
"It's pretty important for the Giants to hopefully trade some experienced guys into the squad in the off-season and get some on board for next year."
Ward's wish is set to be granted as GWS is expected to be a major player in the upcoming trade period, with Buddy Franklin, Tom Bellchambers, Dale Thomas and Shaun Hampson among those linked with the club.
If any are tempted to join the young franchise, they will link up with a player who has come a long way in his short time as a Giant.
At the age of 21, Ward was named a co-captain for the club's first year alongside Power and Phil Davis.
With Power retired and Davis injured for much of this season, Ward has often played a lone captaincy hand in 2013.
A hard-nosed footballer who naturally leads by example, he is growing in other areas, according to former teammate Power.
"I'm rapt for Callan. It's a great effort 100 games and your first real milestone," he said.
"The thing that stands out for me is it's been a hundred pretty consistent games at a high level for someone so young.
"He's developed from a person who probably thought leadership was the furthest thing from his mind and he was happy just to play.
"But he's always led through his actions and the way he attacks the contest.
"He continues to do that for our club and also develop other areas like communication."
Ward calls the milestone "only one small step in a big journey".
He clearly has big plans and believes they can be achieved at the Giants.
"We've had our ups and downs, but I've enjoyed helping the young guys and further developing my leadership skills, not only in football but as a person," he said.
"When I was at the Bulldogs and talking to the Giants, it was probably the biggest decision I've had to make in my life.
"I spoke to plenty of people about it and made sure I made the right decision and in the future hopefully we'll have plenty of success.
"So far I've enjoyed it and I'm really looking forward to the future.
"It's been a huge journey and I wouldn't change it for the world."
