That in itself is a strong statement from the 32-year-old from Devonport considering the physical speed bumps that have been a part of his AFL journey recently, with a broken jaw and knee and hamstring problems limiting him to nine games since the end of 2016 after missing very little footy in the previous 11 seasons.

But, as the four-time Hawthorn premiership player said this week, the only time there was even a slight doubt for him that he would get to this point was when COVID-19 swept in and delayed the start of his new life as a Brisbane Lion.

Those physical battles, and that unwanted delay, will ensure Saturday night's outing at the Gabba against West Coast will mean just that little bit more to Birchall.

"The 250 [milestone] is even more special particularly with the last two years with my body and everything, so that does make it more special, so it is something I am really proud of,'' he said.

"I always felt that I just needed a summer to get the work in, and I was able to do that in the pre-season just gone, so I was always confident if I had the work in that I'd be able to get there, but with the delay due to the coronavirus, that did put another dampener on things.

"So I was a little bit doubtful then as I didn't know if we were going to get back to playing footy at all this year, and whether this would be the end for me, so that is the only time I did think that this would be the end for me.

"I knew in myself that if I put the work in I would get there, and it would have only been the virus that did put a little bit of doubt in my head."

With those doubts now gone following the AFL's restart last week, with the running defender describing his own output against Fremantle [14 disposals at at 92.9 per cent disposal efficiency] as "rusty", he said his focus was not only embracing the big milestone, but helping his new club against the Eagles.

But that does not mean he has not had a chance to reflect on the role his home state has played in his football story.

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He has played 40 matches at Launceston's UTAS Stadium [sixth on the all-time list] a ground where he made his debut and brought up his 50th, 100th and 150th games.

"I used to always love playing in Tassie, as that got me up all the time and I absolutely loved it,'' he said.

"And the [premiership] celebrations as well, they [Tasmanian fans] have been a great support and I always tried to play my best footy down in Tassie.

"The premierships are definitely at the top of the list, that's what you play footy for and that's why you go through so much hard work and to achieve the ultimate is the best feeling in the world.

"I've been lucky to play in so many great finals along the way and I've loved my games in Tassie and I've loved playing in the MCG in those big games, and it has been a great journey and hopefully there is a little bit left and a bit more success would be nice."

And while so much of his career is brown and gold, bringing up game 250 in different colours [in a perfect world it would have taken place in what was Jarryd Roughead's retirement game last season] won't dampen any enthusiasm for Birchall, who has a very familiar face with him at Brisbane in coach Chris Fagan.

He said he was expecting West Coast to "come at us pretty hard" after the premiership fancy was upset by Gold Coast last weekend.

He also hoping some of the "rust" from last week's individual performance would be gone.

"I feel comfortable in and around the group as it is a really good strong culture here at the Lions and they have welcomed me with open arms, but it just might take a little bit for the cohesion and all those little things on field,'' he said.

"But for me personally it is about getting match fitness and all that sort of stuff back, and that might take another game or two back as it was different with 16 minutes quarters and extra time between goals and you didn't get the luxury of playing a JLT [pre-season] game.

"One of the reasons why I came up here is because I thought they played a really exciting brand of footy and if they keep tracking the way they are at the moment success is just around the corner."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is set to be a different celebration for Birchall [although a crowd of 2000 will be allowed at the Gabba], but he expected to spend plenty of time speaking with family [parents Ian and Kathy and sister Grace] and former Hawthorn teammates and mentors this week.

"I really want to thank my family, particularly my old man,'' he said.

"I remember the days he used to pick me up from training and take me to all the games and he certainly clocked up a lot of kilometres doing all that sort of stuff, which I really appreciate.

"He has been a massive supporter of mine, but also to everyone who has been there along the way watching me play or have given me some advice, it has been really good fun and hopefully I have little bit more left in the tank."

Birchall, the 14th pick in the 2005 national draft, has also has collected a rising star nomination in 2006, an All-Australian jumper in 2012, three top three finishes in Hawthorn's best and fairest, two International Rules series selections and been inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in his career.