This weekend’s game against GWS at Spotless Stadium marks a significant milestone in the career of defender Nick Malceski.

When the opening siren sounds, the 31-year-old will have clocked in his 200th senior AFL game, the second SUN to achieve the mark this season.

“Obviously it’s a great milestone to get, it’s something I’m going to look back on when I’ve finished playing I think more so than this week,” Malceski told media at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday.

After suffering three debilitating knee injuries, each requiring surgery, Malceski admits there were times he doubted his future in the AFL.

“After I did my third [knee injury] back in 2011 I didn’t think I’d make it to 150 let alone 200, I’ve been pretty blessed the past four/five years with no injuries so I’ve had a good run,” he said.

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“And it obviously makes it a bit more special to be able to reach that milestone after having the three recos [reconstructions]."

Malceski came to the SUNS from Sydney as an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2014, shortly after he was awarded the honour of being named an All Australian defender.

Taken with selection No. 64 in the 2002 draft by the Swans, Malceski played 164 games for the club, including the 2012 premiership in which he kicked a memorable goal to ice the game.

While his maiden season at Metricon Stadium in 2015 didn’t demonstrate the pedigree he would have liked, Malceski assures his body is in peak form after a full pre-season.

“There’s a lot of stuff that took a toll last year and I had a poor year and I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I did,” he said.

“I needed to have a full pre-season this year, and I have, and it’s ben injury free which is good and hopefully I can continue that for the rest of the season.”

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While Saturday’s milestone is a significant one, Malceski’s focus is firmly on the team and the job at hand in order to secure the desired result for his side against the Giants.

“We need to go out there this week and win, and play better footy than we have in the last four weeks,” he said.

“We’ve got to go out their this week and play the way we want to play and hopefully be real contested footy, brand of footy, and do well against GWS.

“They are going really well at the moment and it’s going to be a big challenge for us this weekend.”