WEST Coast midfielder Matt Priddis will play his 150th AFLmatch on Friday night against Collingwood, but he thought he might never playone.
Priddis had almost resigned himself to spending his daysrising at 6am to work on a building site, but instead he has become one of theEagles most reliable midfielders over the last seven seasons.
John Worsfold uses Priddis is a standard bearer at WestCoast.
"We've used Pridda as an example many times," thecoach said.
"Not only do we use him and use anecdotes around himbut he sets the example in the way he's goes about it around the footy club.
"Pridda is just a remarkable character really. He's aquality young man with an amazing focus on producing the best he can get out ofhimself.
"That's what ended up giving him the opportunity to geton a list."
Priddis had to ply his trade in the WAFL before thatopportunity came via the 2006 rookie draft.
The midfielder starred for Subiaco to earn his place.
He won two WAFL premierships, played two state games for WAand won the Simpson Medal as the best afield against Queensland in 2005.
In 2006 he dominated the WAFL, winning the Sandover medalwith a record vote tally.
No player had ever polled 50 votes since the 5-4-3-2-1system was introduced in 1985. Priddis polled 58.
Claremont's Kane Mitchell matched that tally last season andwas subsequently drafted to Port Adelaide.
They remain the only two players to have polled more than 46votes in a single WAFL season.
Worsfold believes it was more than just his performancesthat led to Priddis getting drafted.
"I specifically remember when we talked about a rookielist spot available for Pridda, the quality of his character was one of the keyfactors.
"Obviously he was in great form in the WAFL but hisleadership and personality traits were really high up there to say if you aregoing to give a spot on the list to someone, he's the sort of person whodeserves one of those spots.
"His physical attributes were holding him back frombeing drafted so he made the most of the physical attributes that he's got.
"He turned them into a strength at WAFL level with noguarantee that it was going to lead to anything."
Priddis is humbled by the thought of gaining life membershipat the club he holds dear to his heart.
"It's a huge honour.
"I love this footy club and I'm very grateful for theopportunity that it's given me.
"When I rocked up I certainly hadn’t thought I wouldreach this milestone.
"I just wanted to make every opportunity I got at AFLlevel count.
"Hopefully I've done that and I'll continue to try andget the best out of myself for the remainder of my career."
