Hunt, who turns 40 in October, has played 399 matches and admits the magic milestone is a factor.

“Yeah it is, I won’t lie,” he said.

“If it happens, it’d be obviously a huge achievement and something I’d look back on in the years to come and be proud, but it’s not the main reason.”

Hall of Famer Matt Allen played 416 games, 362 with his beloved Wangaratta Rovers and 54 at Corowa-Rutherglen.

Hunt’s career looked over in 2017 when he played just three games due to injury, but he bounced back with 18 last year, featuring in the best in the four-point elimination final loss to Yarrawonga.

“I was pretty happy with how I played,” he said.

“I tapered off towards the end of the year, whether that was because of fatigue or injury (I’m not sure), the first half of my year I was quite happy with.

“I still think I have something to offer, whether that’s the seniors or reserves, time will tell.

“I still like to be competitive and while I still feel as though I’m fit enough to go on, I want to keep playing.”

Hunt debuted in 1997 as a skinny 68kg schoolboy wingman. He’s now 76.

“I’ve lost a couple of kilos over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“I noticed I was feeling a little bit heavy, so I thought I’d better do a little bit of work and curb my eating habits.

“I used to do every session, plus every night by myself (for many years), whereas these days I only did one session before Christmas, although I did my own running when I had time.”

If Hunt tackles the first game against North Albury, it will provide Lavington with a much-needed boost.

There’s uncertainty how many games the Panthers will play at Lavington Sportsground, due to its redevelopment, so a milestone would be the ideal feel-good story.