CTV> Watch Shane Wakelin discuss his upcoming milestoneVeteran defender Shane Wakelin (34) will run out for his 250th career game against Port Adelaide this Friday night.
Wakelin reflected on his career with CTV earlier today.
“After I got sacked by the Saints in 2000 I definitely didn’t think I would go on and play 156 games for the Pies. It’s been a dream come true,” Wakelin said.
"I still love playing and I still love competing and it makes it that little bit more exciting when you are enjoying wins with young fellas like Chris Dawes and Johnny McCarthy like I did last week.
“As long as those young kids keep coming through and the body holds up, I’ll continue to have a crack.”
Wakelin started his AFL career at St Kilda where he amassed 94 games of senior footy. His first game was in Round three, 1994 where he had 11-posessions and three marks.
“I played on James Hird. They (Essendon) were the previous year’s Premiers (1993) and it was out at Waverley (in) Round three. We got up by 19-points. It was a massive win. We had about five first gamers for the club that day and all my family and friends were there.”
Wakelin then moved to Collingwood for the 2001 season and has developed into one of the most respected and revered defenders in the league.
“I think I probably have become that little bit more professional (coming over to Collingwood). It probably took me a good four years until you realise how hard you had to work to be a good consistent AFL footballer. I learned from my mistakes over the previous seven years.
“I really thought when I got to the Pies (I would) give myself the opportunity to play good, consistent footy."
Wakelin joined Collingwood in 2001 and has witnessed a transformation in the club.
“They were quite unsuccessful in that period in the 1990s. They were a little bit of a myth I suppose, they used to pump themselves up through the press and you thought they were an arrogant club.
“Once I was involved with the organisation and understand the history behind it and the legends that played for the football club over a long period of time. All of the Grand Finals I have played in (with) the heart breaking losses with building a famous football club. It was great to be a part of it.”
Wakelin is unsure of what 2009 will bring for him and his AFL career.
“I’ll make a decision with Mick at the end of the year. I will sit down with Mick and make a decision either way and if that is to retire I will go down that track and I will have another career to move into.”
