Ben Jolley will become just the third player in the VFL/VFA’s 148-year history to reach 300 matches when he runs onto DSV Stadium for Williamstown’s Round 12 clash with Northern Bullants on Saturday.

One of the greatest and most durable players of the modern era, Jolley will join the late goal kicking legend Fred Cook in equal second spot on the competition’s game tally when he lines up in the milestone match.

Williamstown and Port Melbourne luminary Billy Swan sits just ahead on 302.

At 37 years of age Jolley is five years older than the next most senior VFL-listed player in Michael Sodomaco and has played over 150 matches more than the next most capped VFL player in Tom Wilson.

In one of the feel-good stories of the off-season, Jolley returned to Williamstown after only being selected three times by Essendon last year and has proven his superior fitness and dedication once again.

He has played every game this campaign, averaging 19.7 disposals and 6.1 marks, including 29 touches in the Round 7 win over Collingwood – dispelling any concerns that even he had about limping to the line.

Speaking ahead of the 300-game milestone, Jolley said he was pleased to be contributing to his team’s rise up the ladder this season was looking forward to sharing Saturday’s milestone match with his wife Jane and almost five-year-old twin daughters Ava and Lucy.

“To be part of and contributing to a team which as it currently sits is winning games of football, playing a pretty good brand and enjoying each other’s company both on and off the field is pleasing,” Jolley said.

“My intention is to walk out with the girls (on Saturday) and have that experience both for myself and for them.

“Family, friends and ex-teammates will be upstairs in the early afternoon and hopefully joining me for the walk out too, which will be great.

“The club has been excellent in the planning and taking that out of my hands. On Thursday night we’ve got training and we’ll discuss the specifics of what the day and the pre-match will look like.”

Jolley is already Williamstown’s games record holder on 226, having also played 52 games for Bendigo Bombers, 18 for Port Melbourne and three for Essendon.

His list of honours includes serving as Williamstown captain from 2012-17, including the 2015 premiership, four Seagulls and one Bendigo best-and-fairest, seven VFL Team of the Year guernseys, a third-place finish in the 2010 J.J. Liston Trophy, two VFL State games and nine Ron James MVPs as Williamstown’s Players’ Player.

Originally selected by Essendon from Strathmore and Calder Cannons at pick 27 in the 2005 rookie draft, Jolley also played four AFL matches in 2006.

Williamstown coach Justin Plapp paid credit to Jolley ahead of the milestone and side his presence had helped the club rebound quickly from a three-win season last year.

“What we’ve been able to get out of him so far from performance and an experience point of view money just can’t buy in footy clubs,” Plapp told the State of Play: VFL/W Podcast this week.

“I was keen to get two or three older guys in to drive standards, add maturity and experience. I tried to get him mid-season last year but he was contracted at Essendon, but I mapped out what I needed and wanted to do and when he said he was going to come I was rapt.

“He’s probably performed better than what I actually thought he was going to. His numbers are really high, he’s been able to execute really well and he’s been able to lead.”

Plapp said the 300 game-milestone and impending games record would mean a lot to Jolley, but in his true selfless manner, he would never let them get in the way of Williamstown’s surge back up the ladder.

“From the word go Ben was really clear that he didn’t want to make it about (the milestones),” Plapp said.

“I know it means a lot to him but he doesn’t make it about that. He rolls up to training and talks about executing for the team.”

And what sets Jolley apart from the rest of his contemporaries, either those who are long since retired or those much younger?

“Those who are able to play well into their 30s and execute at a high level for a long time, the No.1 characteristic in all of them, whether it’s Ben or a Robert Harvey, is they are really hard working,” Plapp said.

“‘Jolls’ is probably our hardest worker at the club. He’s the first one on the track, the detail that goes into his preparation has been really high and you really can’t underestimate that part.

“The other thing is he has a good awareness around what the demands are of the game and he’s looked after himself really well for a long time.”

VFA/VFL GAMES RECORD

302 Bill Swan (Port Melbourne, Williamstown)
300 Fred Cook (Yarraville, Port Melbourne, Moorabbin)
299* Ben Jolley (Bendigo, Williamstown, Port Melbourne, Essendon)
294 William Harris (Footscray)
277 John Benson (Sunshine, Werribee)