But it’s a quality that Brent Macaffer has down to a fine art as he prepares to play his 50th senior game.
To put that into perspective, of those who were drafted in the same off-season of 2006/2007, Tyson Goldsack has played 101 games, Sharrod Wellingham 100, Ben Reid 92, Nathan Brown 87, Chris Dawes 82 and Marty Clarke 72.
Only Brad Dick (27) has so far played fewer games than Macaffer.
It has been almost seven years of extreme highs and lows for Macaffer.
When he arrived at the club, he spent time in Williamstown’s reserves. Then he tied for the 2008 Joseph Wren Trophy and led the VFL Magpies’ goal kicking.
Within two years he had risen from the rookie list to the half forward flank in a premiership side against St Kilda, performing important roles in big games in the process.
In the two years after that, Macaffer dealt with severe groin, foot, back and knee injuries and was then forced to deal with the loss of his close mate John McCarthy.
So with this in mind, you can understand why Macaffer is chuffed to have clocked 50 senior games.
“It’s something that I looked at back at the start of the year, knowing I could get to it this year,” he told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“It’s been a long time coming. I’m into my seventh year at the club and all the other guys are all on the 80-90 game mark. Sharrod played 100 games last week (for West Coast). Me and him were rookied together so I’m stoked to get there.
“Hopefully there is more to come as well.”
As with most rookies, Macaffer entered the club with expectations a lot lower than his then-jumper number (45) suggested.
“When I was first rookied I was happy just to be on a list.
“To play my first 10 games and then in 2010 play nearly every game and play in a flag I thought, ‘how good this? I’ll play every game and go on and play 150-200 games.’”
“I’ve had injuries and other ups and downs along the way and stuff like that. It’s a nice little achievement.”
Macaffer has been the quintessential role player in his seven-year career.
He started off as a small full forward. Then he ended up playing as a high half forward where he managed to usurp Paul Medhurst and Tarkyn Lockyer in the premiership year of 2010.
Most recently, he has reinvented himself as a tagger that has been able to shut down some of the competition’s best onballers.
“In 50 games I’ve played a bit of footy everywhere.
“I was drafted as a full forward in the TAC Cup and continued in that role. Then I developed into other areas and ended up being down back a little bit.
“This year I’m playing a role that I never saw coming as a tagger in the midfield. Hopefully I’ll be in this role for years to come.”
When looking back over his fitful but highlight-laden first half century, Macaffer pointed towards the 2010 Preliminary Final against Geelong as his favourite moment.
“I reckon that game was the best we’ve played as a team,” he said enthusiastically.
“To take apart a side that’s as great as Geelong is…we really took it to them and smashed the game.
“The feeling out on the ground and the roar from the crowd with the Collingwood chant is something I’ll never forget. All the other boys say the same thing.
“That and my first game are the two things that stand out.”
It is fitting that Macaffer will play his 50th game against his old mate Wellingham who moved to West Coast last October.
Collingwoodfc.com.au has republished the article that covered their arrival at the club back in December 2006, written by Nick Hulett.
Sharrod Wellingham and Brent Macaffer are the latest additions to the Collingwood list via the rookie draft, and collingwoodfc.com.au caught up with the two new Magpies at the Lexus Centre on Wednesday.
Wellingham, a lightning quick 184-centimetre wingman from Perth, was naturally disappointed not to get drafted initially, but is now focusing on making the most of the opportunity Collingwood has given him.
He said the club had been in contact with him prior to both the AFL Draft and the Rookie Draft.
“Collingwood indicated that they wanted to get me in the rookie draft, they couldn’t get me in the national draft because they didn’t have enough picks,” said Wellingham.
Wellingham says his greatest attribute is his speed, with his time of 2.90 seconds for 20 metres at the WA State Screening proof of that, while his disposal is also considered excellent.
Macaffer’s story is very interesting, given that up until round five of the 2006 TAC Cup Under 18 season he had never played full forward, but by season’s end had not only flourished in the position but was the competition’s leading goal kicker playing for Gippsland Power.
After starting season 2006 at half back, Macaffer began nervously in his new position, kicking six behinds in his first game, but in his second outing up forward he bagged eight majors, on his way to 70 for the season.
At 184 centimetres, Macaffer is not tall for a key forward, but quickly learnt to use his strengths to his advantage.
“I often spoke to Huddo (Gippsland Power coach Paul Hudson) about it, and I was playing on guys a lot taller than me and he rated me quicker than those blokes so I was happy to be playing on the taller blokes,” said Macaffer.
Macaffer, however, emphasised that he is versatile enough to play in any number of positions, and is thrilled to have been given a chance to make it with the Magpies.
“It (2006) is the first time I’ve played full forward in my whole career, I’ve mainly played midfield. But anywhere, it doesn’t bother me, just happy to go wherever they want me to play.
“It’s just great that I’ve got the opportunity to come down here so just looking forward to it, do the best I can, listen to all the older guys and do what I can.”
Wellingham and Macaffer have been joined on the rookie list by international rookie Martin Clarke, who has been training with the club since the beginning of the preseason. Daniel Nicholls is the other rookie-list player.
