Matt Hanson will become the third Werribee player in three years to reach 100 games when he runs out in Saturday’s Qualifying Final against Box Hill.

It will be just his sixth game this season due to hand and shoulder injuries, but when he takes to the field at 2:05pm he’ll join Michael Sodomaco and Tom Gribble as the club’s current centurions.

One of the club’s most decorated players with a record four Bruce Montgomery best and fairest trophies, Hanson’s journey to triple figures has been a long time coming after an incredible start to his career in black and gold.  

The now 28-year-old arrived at Werribee from South Launceston ahead of the 2015 season and had an instant impact. By the end of his third season he’d tallied 53 VFL games and had three best and fairests to his name.

However, over the next six years an unlucky run with injury and a global pandemic would all combine to slow the Hanson’s progress to the ton and Werribee Life Membership

Now that game 100 is finally here the champion midfielder couldn’t be happier.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m really excited for Saturday,” Hanson said.

“I moved to Melbourne and Werribee in 2015 and thought I’d try my luck in the VFL. I’ve been lucky enough to be at a great club for nine years and I’m thankful for that and wouldn’t change a thing. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to achieve here.”

In five games this season Hanson has averaged 27.2 disposals per game the second-best mark of his career along with a career-high 6.2 marks and 4.2 tackles.

On the eve of the Tasmanian's milestone, Werribee captain Nick Coughlan was full of praise for his brilliant teammate.

“I remember my first game against Werribee, I was playing for Sandringham at the time, we had this guy up on the board Matt Hanson,” Coughlan said.

“The plan was to give him 100 hits this day, everybody that ran past him had to hit him. I think he had 33 (disposals) and three (goals) that day, so it didn’t work.

“Around the competition everyone admires what he does and between our four walls I’m not sure anyone is held in a higher regard.

“To be a four-time best and fairest winner and run out with him is a pleasure, and I think everyone stands taller when he’s out there…I know I certainly do.”