After playing 100 games for North Melbourne, Kayne Turner can still remember his AFL debut like it was yesterday.
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"I think there was about 10,000 people there in Canberra, and majority were family and friends," he laughed.
"I still remember Lindsay Thomas kicked the ball to me for my first goal.
"That will always stay with me."
The former Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Wodonga footballer has made a lot of on-field memories since 2014, but the weekend's clash against Sydney was extra special.
While the 25-year-old's century milestone crept up on him, he's grateful for every opportunity since being drafted when he was 17.
"It certainly wasn't something I expected from the beginning," he said.
"It's definitely come as a surprise and has come around quite quickly."
While his family and friends weren't able to pack out Marvel Stadium to celebrate, he received plenty of well wishes.
"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."
He also thanked former club Wodonga Bulldogs for their messages of support.
While time feels to have flown by, he admits it wasn't always an easy adjustment after moving to the city to follow his dreams.
"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," he said.
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"I'm still learning things now, but at the beginning I was a bit of a fish out of water.
"I owe the club a few thank yous just for sticking with me through that time, that's for sure."
After missing last season with a broken foot, Turner was elevated to the club's leadership group this year.
"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."
With 100 games already under his belt, Turner is keen to keep adding to the tally.
"The guys are starting to feel a bit disheartened that the season is finishing, because we improved so much over the year and want to continue that," he said.
"It will be interesting to see what happens in the next year or so."
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