Michael Sodomaco at the VFL Captains Day in 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

WHEN you find a place that just feels like home, you never leave.

And that's certainly the case for Werribee captain Michael Sodomaco, who walked into Chirnside Park as a 23rd man from Lara via the Geelong Falcons in 2009 and, quite simply, never left.

The widely respected Sodomaco, 29, will play his 100th VFL match for the Bees in a must-win clash against reigning premier Richmond at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, a milestone that makes him immensely proud.

"There's not many who have made the 100-game mark (at Werribee), but now we're a standalone footy club we'll get a few more tick over there in the years to come," Sodomaco said.

Michael Sodomaco leads Werribee out for the 2019 VFL semi-final. Picture: AFL Photos

"I really like the concept of a one-club player and we've been through a huge amount of change in my time, so it's a chance to look back and reflect on a little bit.

"It's been a pretty wild ride but I've spent my entire adult life there, so the club means a lot to me and I'm really proud to play 100 all at the one club.

"Now we're standalone, Tommy Gribble will play his 100th this year and hopefully a couple more the year after and then hopefully someone will break through the 200-mark, which is a sign of a very healthy footy club."

It's not like the offers haven't come for the small defender/midfielder to leave, but they were quickly shut down.

"I really enjoy playing footy at the highest level I can and I still enjoy that to this day, so I've never really entertained an offer from another club," Sodomaco said.

"Werribee have been great to me my first game as a Falcon to now, both players and staff – I've felt right at home from day one – and like any place you've been at for 10 years you form connections with people.

"It's a really special place for me and a really important part of my life and I've enjoyed every moment of it."

Michael Sodomaco playing for the VFL against the SANFL in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos

Injuries have played a not-insignificant role in Sodomaco's journey to triple figures, with a hip problem in his early years leading to a run of soft-tissue complaints.

"It's not a great average, 10 years for 100 games, but I've always been really well looked after by Werribee," he said.

"Some people look at (injuries) as the end of the world, but for me it is what it is and I'd rather have an injury and come back and play 10 games a year than throw the towel in and not play any at all.

"(The hip injury wasn't serious but) I didn't rehab it properly, although as sports science got better we understood more about the injury … and I've been better in the later years."

Sodomaco, who has been captain since 2015, knows Werribee is behind the eight-ball after two home losses, but it confident the Tigers can turn it around quickly.

"We've played two good sides and defended really well for the most part – we’ve just got to tidy up our ball use," he said.

Michael Sodomaco gets a handball away against Coburg in 2018. Picture: AFL Photos

"We've been butchering the ball and trying to defend off turnover, which is always hard, so hopefully we can get back to moving the ball the way we want to."

If you listen to him talk about his love for the club, there's no doubt Sodomaco will remain a Busy Bee for some time to come.

"Just that half an hour in the rooms after a win," he said of his favourite time in football.

"I love that feeling of sitting in the rooms with 21 of your mates and you're all knackered and sore with ice on you and you're having a beer or a soft drink and reminiscing about the game just before.

"It's a great feeling and it's a hard one to replace, so if we can enjoy a few more times that will be great."