Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury insists he is not motivated by the prospect of breaking the all-time games record as he prepares to become just the sixth VFL/AFL player to reach 400 games.
The 36-year-old will join Kevin Bartlett (Richmond), Michael Tuck (Hawthorn), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) and Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn) as members of footy's most elite group when he lines up in Saturday night's blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG.
Pendlebury gathered with the other 400-gamers minus Bartlett, who was recovering from facial surgery, at Collingwood's AIA Centre on Wednesday.
The dual-premiership player has already signalled his intent to play on next year - taking him into a 20th season - to put him within reach of Harvey's VFL/AFL record of 432 games.
But Pendlebury denied moving past Harvey, potentially in 2026, was spurring him on to continue playing.
"What is a motivating factor is playing this game for as long as I can, because I love it," he said on Wednesday.
"I was trying to think of the words to say why I've kept going and it just comes down to I'm competitive. I'll do anything I can to try and win.
"I love that feeling when the siren goes. When that feeling goes, I don't love it anymore, I feel like it's boring, that's when I know it's time to give it away, or my body fails me.
"But at the moment I still have that passion to play."
Harvey was controversially forced into retirement by North in 2016 despite kicking 36 goals that season and finishing fifth in the club's best-and-fairest.
The 46-year-old was adamant he could have played on for at least another season, potentially taking him past 450 games.
Harvey said there was no reason why Pendlebury couldn't break his record.
"If he has a year like he has this year, he'd potentially go again (in 2026)," Harvey said on Wednesday.
"I'll shake his hand if he gets there, because I know how hard he would have had to work."
Pendlebury is receiving all the accolades this week with his leadership, skill and professionalism standing out to those who know him best.
"It has been a big week, but I'm just trying to enjoy it all, embrace it," he said.
"(Wednesday's) a really big day, and then luckily enough, I've got a day off (Thursday) where I'm going to put the phone away.
"Maybe go the movies, watch Bad Boys or something. Just chill out for the day."
Collingwood coach Craig McRae admitted Pendlebury's 400th match - doubling as a match against the Blues, their biggest rivals - was a game all Magpies players were desperate to be involved in.
Magpies star Jordan De Goey remains in doubt for the must-win game as he manages an ongoing groin issue, but the premiership hero trained on Wednesday to press his case for selection.
* THE VFL/AFL'S 400 CLUB
1. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) 432 games
2. Michael Tuck (Hawthorn) 426
3. Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn) 407
4. Kevin Bartlett (Richmond) 403
5. Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) 400
6. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 399*
