The player that has often been referred to as the ""Rolls-Royce"" will play his 200^th game on the weekend. Mark Mercuri’s decorated career with the Bombers’ started in 1992 and he has provided Essendon supporters’ with a great deal of highlights since then. The 30-year-old will join close teammates Joe Misiti and Dustin Fletcher in the 200 game club on Saturday night.

""Joey, Hirdy and I started in the under-19s together. Joey got to his 200^th and Hirdy is about 10 or so games away. That is a great thrill to come through your careers together and especially Joey because we came through from the same local club as well – that is very special.""

""The last little bit has been a bit slow in getting finally getting there. On the weekend I get the 200 and it is a great milestone. It is something that when I am finished I am sure I will look back on and be very proud of, especially at a club like Essendon,"" Mercuri said.

""I always had that inner belief that it would eventually happen. There have been a few injuries and form and sometimes lack of opportunities there. It has been a tough last 20 games – it has been a struggle. It is great to reach this milestone.""

Mercuri had the start to his career that most players can only ever dream of. He formed part of the Baby Bombers outfit in 1993 and played a big part in the team’s premiership success. After 20 senior games he had won a premiership medal. Mercuri tasted premiership success again in 2000.

It was Mercuri’s 1999 season that has been the standout of his career. He came runner-up in the Brownlow medal, won All-Australian selection and easily won the Crichton Medal.

Mercuri starred in the first qualifying final against Sydney despite going off midway through the second quarter. He kicked three goals, assisted in two and had basically set up the win off his own boot.

However, it was a match earlier in his career that has the fondest memories. ""The game that stands out to me the most was the 1993 preliminary final. Without sounding big headed, after we won that game, I didn’t think we would lose the grand final,"" he said. ""The way we came back and won the preliminary final always stands out in my mind. It was only early in my career, but it does stand out.""

After playing the majority of his career on the half-forward flank, Mercuri has found himself in unfamiliar territory this season. He is enjoying a new lease of life in defence.

""I just want to contribute each week. I am one of the older guys now, so I want to give a bit of leadership to the younger guys.""

""Gradually as you get older you can’t do what you used to do, so I suppose you take a back seat. It is frustrating at times because you want to perform to the level that you set early in your career. Unfortunately mother-nature takes its course and things happen, but you just keep trying and putting in each week and that is all you can do.""

""We haven’t started as well as we would have liked and we have another challenge on Saturday night, so the bigger picture is for the team to get back on the winner’s board.""