ON THE eve of his milestone match, Collingwood’s Paul Medhurst admits he had his doubts whether he would ever reach triple figures games – let alone 150.

But the exciting forward will join a prestigious club when he plays his 150th career game on Saturday night as Collingwood, sitting pretty in fourth spot on the AFL ladder, take on reigning premier Hawthorn.

For Medhurst, the transition from occasional match-winner to regular contributor in just a few seasons has been remarkable.

After playing 99 matches at Fremantle, Medhurst was traded to Collingwood at the end of the 2006 season, along with the No.8 pick, in exchange for former Pie Chris Tarrant. And since that moment he has made every post a winner.

“It was looking pretty shaky there for a while,” Medhurst said, reflecting upon his earlier days.

“I thought I might be stranded on 99 games which would have been pretty disappointing but the last three years have been very positive and hopefully (there’s) a few more.”

His 2008 season was a highlight. Playing as a permanent forward, he averaged close to 16 disposals a game and booted 50 goals for the season. He was rewarded for his outstanding year with his first All-Australian jumper and was runner-up in the Copeland Trophy.

But the 27-year-old knows that higher prizes might lie ahead in 2009.

Now part of a team that has won seven matches on end, Medhurst believes he could be part of something special at Collingwood this year.

“It’s really exciting. I mean every game we win (is) more momentum. And momentum, I think especially this year, is going to be so important going into finals.

“So every game, every week’s another opportunity to build on that and that just increases the excitement amongst the group because you know, (winning) five in a row, six in a row, seven in a row, you think, ‘When’s the club last done this?’.

“It’s exciting to build on that every week.”

A win over Hawthorn in Medhurst’s big night – which will also be his 51st game in Magpie colours – would further consolidate Collingwood’s place in the top four and could move them a step closer to the top two teams, St Kilda and Geelong.

While Medhurst believes the gap between the top two and the chasing pack is “significant”, he thinks it is closing.

And for now, he’s happy avoiding the ladder leaders. He believes it’s a good thing his side doesn’t have to meet either team before the finals, and will be happy if the Magpies can swoop at the right time.

“The more chance we get to build on this momentum the better we’re going to be when we hopefully do get an opportunity to play them in the finals,” he said.