The players on-track to join the AFL‘s exclusive 400-game club

At just 30 years old, it’s feasible Darling plays on for another six or seven years to take him very close to an exclusive club.

The 400 club.

Only five men have reached the magic number in the history of the game – Brent Harvey (432), Michael Tuck (426), Shaun Burgoyne (407), Kevin Bartlett (403) and Dustin Fletcher (400).

Fletcher, when asked on BackChat about the milestone and whether more players could join the group in the future, was quite confident it would happen again.

“Yes, there’ll definitely be a few more,” he said.

“The way David Mundy is playing, it’s a yes. I must admit the players who travel across from the west, you could nearly say 300 games for someone over there is like 400.

“I’d love to see David Mundy do it, Scott Pendlebury is right up there too.”

The travel component is certainly an interesting one, especially from Western Australia. David Mundy (366 and counting) and Matthew Pavlich (353) lead, with Shannon Hurn – the games record-holder at West Coast – currently having 312 games to his name. These three have been incredibly consistent performers for their sides, leaders and terrific humans too.

I hope I’m wrong but I think the volume required plus the travel factor will leave David Mundy just short. What an incredible player he has been over such a long time. If he was to reach it, it would come in his 20th season in 2024.

But there are others currently playing that have a shot at immortality. Let’s take a look around the league.

The 400 club nominees

Jack Darling (West Coast), 249 games

Avg: 20.75 games per year, 400 games projected in 2029, his 19th season

As mentioned, I believe 400 games is a milestone within Darling’s reach. The start of this season has been the only drop-off in performance I can remember in Darling’s career, with his performances after the bye indicating he is back to his full powers. The ultimate professional, Darling is fit, rarely injured and plays a role that could see him play on for enough years to reach the milestone.

Andrew Gaff (West Coast), 245 games

Avg: 20.42 games per year, 400 games projected in 2029, his 19th season

Drafted in the same year as Darling in 2010, Gaff’s only blemish throughout his career from a games-played point of view was eight weeks missed through suspension. He runs all day, plays more outside than inside and is incredibly durable. Like Darling, another five or six years in the role he’s always played isn’t beyond him.

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), 347 games

Avg: 20.41 games per year, 400 games projected in 2024, his 19th season

Less travel and a very young side around him may put Pendlebury in a better position than Mundy to reach the milestone. Like all of the players in this list, Pendlebury hasn’t aged for 10 years, still showcasing the poise and composure that has made him one of the all-time great midfielders over his career. Has added the backline string to his bow which should extend his career.

Lance Franklin (Sydney), 330 games

Avg: 19.4 games per year, 400 games projected in 2025, his 20th season

Without the past couple of years lost to injury, Lance Franklin would be at the top of this list. With his body right, Franklin looks like he is moving with ease and enjoying his footy more than ever. Could he play on for another three or four years? I don’t know for sure, but I think if you asked any current defender that has played on Buddy they’d say he’s a big chance.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), 185 games

Avg: 20.40 games per year, 400 games projected in 2032, his 19th season

This man is unstoppable. Such a unique player, has the height of a key forward, but moves like a midfielder, we could see this man play forever. At just 26 years old, his trajectory and durability have him on-track to play 400 games. A lot can happen over the journey for a footballer and the Bont isn’t even halfway.

Luke Parker (Sydney), 249 games

Avg: 20.75 games per year, 400 games projected in 2028, his 18th season

Coincidentally, Parker will play his 250th game this weekend like Darling. In the same draft as Darling and Gaff, the 2010 draft could be one of the all-time greats in terms of games-played. The thing that I like about Parker is his ability to really impact as a forward, which could see his career extended, even after some of the young Swans brigade take over the inside midfield opportunities.

Sam Walsh (Carlton), 75 games

Avg: 20 games per year, 400 games projected in 2037, his 19th season

The most difficult to predict is young players in the game. A lot has to go right in order to play 400, but this young man seems to be on a good trajectory. From all reports, he’s the consummate professional in his preparation and we haven’t seen a talent like this since Chris Judd. For AFL fans around the country, let’s hope we continue to see this young man week-in and week-out.