James Kelly is in line to play his 300^th AFL game this weekend when the Bombers host his former side, Geelong.

The three-time premiership player joined Essendon at the beginning of 2016, after spending 14 seasons with the Cats.

“It’s obviously a good achievement and I’m happy with myself that I’ve made it this far,” Kelly said.

“I think milestones are a bit hard to reflect on when you’re still going. I still feel after this long that I want to keep winning and playing well.

“I really appreciate everything that happens during the week but further from that I’m just looking forward to playing another game of footy and hopefully getting the win.”

Kelly was rested in the round six match against Melbourne, pushing back his 300 game milestone to this Saturday’s clash with Geelong.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t looked at the fixture at the start of the year, but in my overall plan I was always due to miss a week,” he said.

“There are still a few guys that I talk to regularly, so that will be nice to be out there with them.

“Obviously if you could choose anyone to play against, I would’ve always chosen Geelong. It will be really good to be there and see some familiar faces.”

Kelly’s career at Geelong ended in 2015 and is thankful for the opportunity to extend his career at the Bombers.

“I didn’t think my career was over but it was and I’d moved on, so to get the opportunity to play again last year was something that I really enjoyed and felt like I was feeling well enough to keep going this year,” he said.

“Looking back on the whole 18-months it’s been really good and something that I’m glad I too the chance at doing.”

Kelly doesn’t yet know what his playing future holds but “learnt last year to never say never”.

Both Essendon and Geelong will be looking to rebound after two straight losses.

“We’re really due for a win, we really to win. Geelong are in the same position, they’ve lost two in a row and they haven’t played some great footy either,” Kelly said.

“Knowing that place, as I do, they will be really looking to make amends for the last couple of weeks and we will be doing the same.”