As Hawthorn face Gold Coast at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, they'll be celebrating the career of their skipper.
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Ruckman Ben McEvoy will play his 250th game, marking his 159th at Hawthorn following a 91-game stint at St Kilda.
Drafted to the Saints with pick nine of the 2007 national draft from the Murray Bushrangers, the 200cm prospect won his first 13 games as an AFL player and played in the 2010 grand final replay.
He was eventually traded to the Hawks in 2013, despite playing every game as the Saints' first-choice ruck, in exchange for Shane Savage and a first-round pick.
Affectionately known as 'big boy', the 33-year-old played in the 2014 and 2015 premierships, enjoying plenty of success and relatively smooth sailing until a neck injury this year.
Fracturing his neck, he had to wear a brace for 12 weeks, missing most of the first half of the season.
"I've been enormously privileged over my 15-year career that I've not had to do many long rehabs," he told Hawthornfc.com.au.
"That was the most games I've ever missed, so it was a challenge. I was lucky enough to play every game last year and to have only had one game next to my name this year was weird."
He had as little as 20 per cent function in his right arm but he's played every game since returning in round 17.
"I'm lucky that I have really strong perspective in my life, I have three beautiful little kids and a wonderful family, so I was able to keep things in perspective," McEvoy said.
"I had to be really patient as I had some nerve damage from the incident, so it took a long time for that function to start to return.
"Once it was back in my control a little bit, I was always confident that I could get back."
To celebrate McEvoy's milestone, fans can get their head taped up at the Chemist Warehouse marquee in honour of how the Hawks' number seven usually ends matches.
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