Luke Daly will play his 200^th game at the Norm Minns Oval.

The three-time premiership captain has been the poster boy for perseverance after debuting in 2004.

He played 17 games in his first two seasons, but then spent a number of years in reserve grade, including the 2009 premiership.

“There were times when I probably could have done more to help myself, but that’s just being young,” he said.

“I guess that probably helps me now, every game I’ve played, I know what’s gone into it.”

Like so many young players, Daly admits he sold the game’s preparation short.

“You do, it is hard, the O and M has some bigger bodies and it takes a toll on your body,” he said.

“It was probably just the maturity (that helped me improve), just doing the little things well, that always helps, you’ve got to be dedicated and making sure you’re ticking all the boxes.

“As you get older, it takes even more to get yourself up.

“The O and M is tough work, it’s not a breeze, that’s for sure.”

Thirty-one next week, the five-time premiership player’s ferocious work ethic was rewarded earlier this year when he was named for his first interleague team.

However a quad injury at training ruled him out at the eleventh hour.

It was a shame a tremendous servant of the league had that taken away but, given his form, he would start next year odds-on to finally debut.

Not a bad effort for someone who played the first two games as a forward before reverting to defence where he’s produced a best and fairest-contending season.

“It’s always good when you have someone chasing you, that’s for sure,” he said when asked for his favourite position.

“I enjoy playing in the backline, we’ve got a good bunch of blokes who’ve been playing in the backline for a fair few years now.

“It’s a lot of fun down there.”

One-hundred and seventy-nine centimetres, Daly has played on a variety of Wangaratta players in the two games, including the pacy Mat Grossman and classy Brad Melville.

The defensive group couldn’t contain the Pies’ ‘big four’  – Michael Newton, Josh Porter, Tom Whittlesea and Ben Speight – in last year’s shock grand final loss.

“You still keep it in the back of your mind, but we’ve got a lot of things that motivate and drive us as a group,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a huge driving force, but it’s definitely something you still think about.”

Newton is the only one of that quartet left, but he’s in sensational form.