It has been a hell of a journey for Sam Reid.
After 12 years and nine months, no less than four delistings, four shoulder reconstructions, countless other injuries, Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and even a retirement, Reid will play his 100th AFL game this weekend.
Initially drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2007, the GWS defender has had to wait 4,671 days to reach the milestone which is the sixth longest wait in VFL/AFL history and the longest wait in the past 93 years.
His draft was the same as the likes of Patrick Dangerfield (271 games), Trent Cotchin (259) and current teammate Callan Ward who has notched 235 games despite his own injury woes, just to give further context.
When he runs out for the Giants against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena on Sunday, Reid will finally notch the ton.
It has been a long road, starting at the Bulldogs, ending multiple times at the Giants, before fighting his way back to play in a Grand Final.
Reid says there is one delisting that cut deeper than any other moment throughout his fascinating career.
“The first one when I came up here after I left the Dogs on a three-year contract,” he told SEN’s Bob & Andy.
“Two years in, the club came to me and we obviously had a young list and I’d had another two shoulder reconstructions and hip surgery.
“They just said that my opportunities were limited so could you like to stop your contract a year early, we’ll give you two years to play and coach in the NEAFL, but you obviously won’t be available play senior footy.
“At that stage I was like, ‘bugger you guys, there’s no way I’m doing that. I’m going to come back, I’m going to prove you wrong’.
“It took me a month to decide to take the contract. That one did the cut the deepest, I was only 23 years old. You think you’re in your prime, and you get told that.
“I’d only played 24 games so I hadn’t had a stellar career. I’d had four recos on my shoulders by that stage. It was probably fair that they were saying that, but I did want to give them the finger and go ‘bugger off’.”
Reid also admitted his disappointment which came at the end of last year when he was prematurely axed before being handed a lifeline.
“Last year was the other one. I didn’t have my greatest year last year after playing 26 games in the year that we made the Grand Final,” he added.
“I didn’t get picked for Round 1 off the back of what I thought was a pretty good pre-season. They went for a couple of younger guys.
“I busted my ass in the three-month period where we trained at home by ourselves and got fit as. Then the week before we were due back in the last session I did my calf and was out for 16 weeks.
“So at that stage I thought my career was done, but sort of fought my way back in a really frustrating year. I reckon I got the last contract and I was sitting there going ‘geez…’
“I was 30, I felt really good and I did get back from the injury. I was worried about that and I thought at that stage there was a lot going on with the club with our off-season.
“It does drive me and it’s driven me this year to come back and make sure I have an impact.”
Reid with Bob Murphy and Shaun Higgins in 2009.
Upon reflection, the Queensland native insists he would not change a thing, especially with how he has dealt with the daily thorn in his side that is diabetes.
“She’s been a 12 years, but I wouldn’t change it to be honest,” he said.
“Everyone’s journey is different and I don’t think you’ll find anyone that will come close to what I’ve dealt with and come through.
“I just try to inspire people, especially people with Type 1 diabetes. People see that as something that will hold a child back or hold parents or anyone back. The way I’ve gone about that and overcome after being diagnosed in 2010 and 11 years still playing, it’s a pretty big achievement.
“Reflecting quickly right now, it is a pretty big deal.
“There’s been numerous times when I never thought I’d get there.”
Reid played 10 games for the Dogs between 2008 and 2011, with this weekend being his 90th for the Giants having first donned the orange and charcoal back in 2012.