More than 15 years have passed since Nick Riewoldt first walked into the St Kilda Football Club, and ahead of his 300th appearance in red, white and black, the champion forward says the time has flown by.

With a trophy cabinet full of achievements, as well as many accolades not accompanied by medals or silverware, Riewoldt is set to join an exclusive St Kilda clique, becoming only the fifth player in the club’s history to reach the milestone, just a week after becoming only the fifth player in AFL history to captain 200 games.

When the 33-year-old runs out on to Etihad Stadium to face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, he will join Robert Harvey, Nathan Burke, Stewart Loewe and Barry Breen as 300-game Saints, an achievement Riewoldt labels as an honour given the calibre of personnel named above and something he is thrilled to have done at the one club.

“It goes quick that’s for sure,” Riewoldt told a swarm of reporters attending his 300-game milestone press conference at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

“I remember my first-year, ‘Stewie’ Loewe and Nathan Burke played their 300th game and I was injured, but I remember thinking at the time that they were both great St Kilda people and old. So I certainly don’t feel old. It’s just gone so quick.

“You just don’t feel like that’s your place in the game, I guess is the best way to describe it. But it’s something I’m really honoured by, especially considering the calibre of players who have already achieved that for St Kilda.

“I think to play 300 games at the level is a great achievement but it does mean something really special to me to have done it all at St Kilda.

“And to have joined four other guys – three of which I played with ‘Burkey’, ‘Harvs’ and ‘Loewey’ – and Barry Breen who’s an icon of the club given his 66 premiership performance.”

Riewoldt conceded the milestone wasn’t something he aspired to or even thought was probable in the k half of his career as his age began to catch up with him. Although with it coming so early this season, it was something he has been looking forward to.

“I don’t think anyone sets out to play 300 games,” Riewoldt said.

“Even sort of three or four years ago when your body starts to have some issues as you get a little bit older it’s not something that you really earmark or aspire to get to.

“But when it starts to creep up and it’s early in the year, you can’t help but enjoy it, and just enjoy the experience.”

Nick poses for photos with son James

Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy (right) was on hand at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to help promote the #FightLikeMaddie fundraiser.