Tarkyn Lockyer will notch his 150th AFL game when he runs out for Collingwood on Sunday afternoon against the Bulldogs.

The 27-year-old has been in career-best form so far in season 2007, having assumed more midfield responsibility, and has been a key part of the Magpies’ excellent start.

Recruited from East Fremantle, Lockyer is a success story of the rookie-list system, having been elevated onto the senior list in 1998. He played his first senior game in round eight, 1999, in Collingwood’s 40-point triumph over Fremantle at the MCG, and went on to play every game for the remainder of that season.

His promising career, however, was threatened when he missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons due to a knee reconstruction followed by stress fractures in his foot.

But Lockyer has rebounded superbly, which is indicative of his outstanding work ethic and determination, to reach a milestone that looked well beyond him not so long ago.

“I’ve had some really good highs, playing in the 2002 grand final, and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way, and I’ve probably had the real sour part of football as well, with the injuries, the knee 'reco' and the stress fractures. So to notch up 150 will be pretty satisfying,” Lockyer told the media at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.

The time out from the game a few years ago has made Lockyer appreciate not only the milestone and football, but life in general.

“Not only do you appreciate being out there playing with your mates and doing the thing that you were put on earth to do best, which is play football. Just your day to day life is just great.

“Having the ability to walk down the street with your dog, and your little son, just to do the normal things in life, you certainly cherish those the most.”

“Having been through the knee 'reco' and the stress fractures, that was the hardest thing along that journey, just not being able to live.”

Lockyer has been extremely durable since the beginning of 2005, having not missed a game in that time, and after two years of solid contributing in a number of positional roles, he has relished the chance to spend more time in the middle.

“I reckon I’m going ok, I’ve spent a bit more time in the midfield this year. I think over the last few years I’ve played forward, back, mid, you name it I’ve played it.

“This year I’ve spent a fair bit more time in the midfield, and it’s probably freed me up a little bit from following a guy around, to be able to use some of my own flair, and I’m really relishing getting up there and having a run around, it’s good fun.”

On marking the occasion of his 150th, Lockyer, with typical humility, insists he doesn’t want to create a big stir other than involve his family, and wants nothing more than to mark the occasion with a win.

“I suppose I’ll run out with little (seven-month-old son) Charlie, my family will come over (from Western Australia), and the in-laws will come up from the country.

“So without trying to make too much of a fuss about it, it will be just good to get together as a family and celebrate a milestone.

“They (the family) know to well and truly give me my space before a game. I know it’s fantastic to play 150 games, but at the end of the day it means nothing if you go out there and don’t get a kick and the team doesn’t play well."