All three have premiership medallions, but there's another common theme that binds them together.  

He might not be a household name among most footy fans, but under the guidance of Gerard FitzGerald in the VFL, each of these players was able to reach the top echelon and live out their AFL dream.

In fact, over his 18-year coaching career, the North Ballarat coach has seen 19 of his charges recruited to AFL clubs.

It's an impressive number, but no more impressive than what will transpire on Sunday when he breaks the all-time VFA/VFL coaching record with his 314th game.

"As a coach you've got a very privileged position in shaping and developing the lives of players on and off the field," FitzGerald told AFL.com.au.

"I take that responsibility very seriously."

FitzGerald has coached at several clubs including VFL sides Port Melbourne and North Ballarat, as well as the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup.

Along with Jolly, Maxwell and Gibson, FitzGerald's list of AFL success stories include Melbourne's James Frawley, plus Collingwood defender Nathan Brown and his twin brother at West Coast, Mitch.

"In their own way, they've all got something unique about them," FitzGerald said.

"Even when I had the Rebels and I had a large number of boys drafted in my second year, in many ways they all had unique stories. Whether it was the way they were introduced into the game or how quickly they developed or whether they got drafted later in life."

Hawthorn premiership player Isaac Smith is one of those "unique" stories.

Hailing from Cootamundra in New South Wales, the pacey Hawk moved quickly through the ranks playing in the local Ballarat League before being lured to North Ballarat in the VFL and eventually recruited by Hawthorn.

"He's in many ways a classic example of a model peer," FitzGerald said.

"A boy from Northern New South Wales, arrives at the university of Ballarat and then begins to enjoy playing the game at the local club. He then shows an interest to come and try out at state league level and then forces his way into the senior team and begins to play really well, particularly in finals. It's a classic story."

FitzGerald said he's "humbled" to break the record set in 1959 by former South Melbourne player and coach, Bill Faul.

Faul's son, John, will be there on Sunday to witness the record-breaking game, an occasion he admits leaves him with "mixed feelings".

"I think a lot of people over the journey didn't think it would ever be broken," Faul said.

"I'm extremely proud of my father's achievements. But Gerard is a fine man and a good person to break the record."