For one of North Melbourne’s hardest working players, Kayne Turner, reaching the 100-game milestone was something he could only dream of when he began his football career.
Drafted to the club with pick 25 at the 2013 Rookie Draft, Turner was raw, skinny and still in school.
Flash forward eight years and he’s a valued member of the Roos’ leadership group and flourishing in a defensive stopping role.
The man described as “60 kilograms sopping wet” upon his arrival at Arden Street has come a long way.
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"It was a bit of a shock and it took me quite a while to get up to the standard and to understand what it took to be at the AFL level," Turner told the Border Mail.
"I'm still learning things now, but at the beginning I was a bit of a fish out of water.
"It's definitely come as a surprise and has come around quite quickly.
"I owe the club a few thank you’s just for sticking with me through that time, that's for sure."
The 25-year-old reflected fondly on his first game in the royal blue and white stripes, back in Round 20, 2014 against the Giants.
"I think there was about 10,000 people there in Canberra, and majority were family and friends," Turner said of his debut.
"I still remember Lindsay Thomas kicked the ball to me for my first goal.
"That will always stay with me."
He went on to play a key role in the Roos’ finals campaigns in his first two seasons, and has been a mainstay in the Roos’ side since.
Without family or friends in the stands to celebrate against Sydney on Saturday night, Turner received a few special tributes from those closest to him.
"The club organised a video tribute in the pre-game meeting from a few friends and family who couldn't make it down, so that was really good,” he said.
"There were a few faces I hadn't seen in a while, so it was nice to get those video messages."
At 25 years of age, he's still very much coming into the prime of his career, but Turner is also looking to guide the next generation of North stars as a member of the leadership group.
"It was an opportunity that I wasn't going to pass up on," he said.
"I've learnt a lot from guys like Jack Ziebell, Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin and Robbie Tarrant.
"They've been awesome to watch just with how they go about it and how professional they are.
"It's been really good for me to be a part of that program."
