IT HAS taken 113 seasons and 11,795 players, but the AFL is about to have its First XI.

The exclusive group is in special territory: having played 350 matches or more and with Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson set to reach the milestone in Sunday's clash with Collingwood.

Johnson's resilience has seen him miss just six games through injury since his 1994 debut, and he will overcome an interrupted pre-season for this one.

1. Michael Tuck (Hawthorn, 426 games)
The wiry ruck-rover holds the current record for most games. Even tried at full-forward, Tuck took a few seasons to earn a regular spot in the Hawks' senior side but from there his career stretched over two decades and was free of major injuries. A member of seven premiership teams - his first in 1976 and last in 1991 - he was the Hawks' captain in four of them. The best player in the pre-season grand final is now awarded the Michael Tuck Medal.

2. Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 403 games)
Renowned for an apparent inability to handball, the wispy-haired rover possessed enormous stamina. He won five Richmond's best and fairest awards and was the club's leading goalkicker four times, transforming himself into a damaging forward pocket in the twilight of his career. He also played in five premierships and was awarded the 1980 Norm Smith Medal.

3. Robert Harvey (St Kilda, 383 games)
Moorabbin's favourite son looked on track for the big 400 but decided to hang up the boots in 2008 after 21 seasons and one hairstyle. Harvey won back-to-back Brownlow Medals in 1997 and 1998, was selected in the All-Australian team eight times, claimed three EJ Whitten Medals for best on ground performances in state of origin games and was St Kilda captain for two years.

4. Simon Madden (Essendon, 378 games)
One of the greatest ruckmen of all time, Madden had an illustrious career that saw him win four club best and fairests, three club goalkicking awards, All-Australian selection on six occasions and second place in the 1988 Brownlow Medal. He also played in Essendon's 1984 and 1985 premiership sides, winning the Norm Smith Medal in 1985. Madden's heroic beard was a staple of the 1980s VFL scene.

5. Craig Bradley (Carlton, 375 games)
The courageous ruck-rover played in two premierships during his career, which started in 1986 and ended in 2002. He won three best and fairests, was a five-time All-Australian and Carlton captain between 1998 and 2002. His last game left the-then 38-year-old with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

6. Bernie Quinlan (Footscray and Fitzroy, 366 games)
The tall, well-built forward shared the 1981 Brownlow Medal with Barry Round. A club leading goalkicker six times, he booted 116 in 1983 and 105 in 1984 for a career total of 815. A massive kick of the ball, he retired at the end of 1986 at the age of 35 without achieving a premiership with either of his clubs.

7. John Blakey (Fitzroy and North Melbourne, 359 games)
In a career that spanned between 1985 and 2002, the consistent stopper/ruck-rover was a member of North Melbourne's 1996 and 1999 premiership sides before earning a place in its team of the century. A low-key but extremely hard-working player, it's unlikely his league record for pre-season matches (45) will ever be beaten. Blakey went on to become an assistant coach with the Brisbane Lions, but is now at the Swans.

8. Bruce Doull (Carlton, 356 games)
The half-back flanker, dubbed the 'Flying Doormat' for his distinctive hairstyle, is regarded as one of the greatest Carlton players of all time. He played in four premierships from six grand finals, won the 1981 Norm Smith Medal and four best and fairests. He was also named on the flank in both the Carlton and AFL teams of the century, and despite his string of achievements remained a very private man.

9. Paul Roos (Fitzroy and Sydney Swans, 356 games)
The durable defender spent most of his career at Fitzroy before moving to the Swans in 1995 for four seasons. He was a seven-time All-Australian, runner up in the 1986 Brownlow Medal and was captain of Fitzroy for six years. Roos was reported just once in his career - in 1989 for using abusive language - and was found not guilty. He became coach of the Swans in 2002 and led them to their first premiership in 72 years in 2005.

10. Doug Hawkins (Footscray and Fitzroy, 350 games)
The pacy winger played 329 games for the Bulldogs before finishing his career with one season at the Lions. He was an All-Australian on two occasions, Bulldogs captain for three years and won a best and fairest. Hawkins' colourful career was honoured with the club naming one side of Whitten Oval after him, even though it had carried the unofficial title for years.

11. Brad Johnson (Footscray/Western Bulldogs, 350 games*)
Johnson broke the Bulldogs' games record last year and despite his veteran status also finished fourth in the best and fairest count. The 'Smiling Assassin' is a close third on the Dogs' all-time goalkicking list and has regularly been pitted against much larger opponents. A three-time club champion and six-time All-Australian, he enters his 17th season with his sights on an elusive premiership after playing in four preliminary finals.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.