As the Saints take on the fourth-placed powerhouse on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, Stephen Milne will be facing the side he originally played in the reserves for, before being recruited to St Kilda Football Club in the 1999 Rookie draft.
Elevated after only one year on the Rookie List, the goal-sneak has gone onto an extremely successful 12-year career, and earlier this year ticked off another major milestone by kicking his 500th goal in Round 5 against Melbourne.
“I suppose time flies when you’re having fun,” Milne recalls.
“To say I would’ve played 250 (games) 13 years ago, I would’ve pinched myself to be sitting here.”
“I was only a little skinny guy from Hampton Park trying to find my way and I was just lucky enough that Johnny Beveridge picked me up, and I’m sitting here 12 years later.”
“(It’s) something to be pretty proud of after footy and against Essendon where it all started. Time goes pretty quick.”
The 32-year-old is regarded by many as the most accomplished small forward in the League, with his longevity in one of the games’ toughest position lauded.
Determined to prove that a lack of a height will not define him, Milne has battled the odds and beaten bigger opponents for 12 years, never better evidenced by his career-high 11 goal effort against Brisbane in 2005.
While he admits the commotion surrounding his accomplishment has given him time to reflect on his career, his mind is still firmly set on the tough game ahead of the Saints.
“You try and focus on the game at hand but I suppose when you get asked all these questions you do reflect a little bit and all the good stuff that I’ve done and accomplished over the years, it’s something to be pretty proud of. Something I (will) look back on after footy.”
“But we’ve got a massive game this week against Essendon and all the focus is going into that.”
“It’ll be a special occasion for the family, mum and dad … so hopefully (it’ll) be a good night and (we can) celebrate with a win.”
Despite admitting that his body tends to pull up sorer as he gets older, he is hopeful he can continue to play the game he loves for the Saints for years to come.
However all that is on his mind at the moment is getting the team he loves in the finals.
“Robert Harvey always said ‘it gets harder when you’re older’ and I didn’t used to believe him.
“I still feel like I’m covering the ground pretty well and playing my part for the team, so hopefully (I go) okay and I can get one more (year) out.
“I still love (football) as much as I did when I played my first game. Driving down (to Linen House Centre) every day and putting my footy boots on and getting out there, hopefully (that) can continue on.
“But I’m just trying to focus on getting the Saints in the finals.”
