The milestone came when Cheney, now a member of the Adelaide Crows, took on former team Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.

It has been a long time coming for Cheney, who has forged a reputation as a dependable journeyman in the AFL after playing for three clubs in his eight-year career.

He was drafted by the Melbourne Demons with pick 53 in the 2007 national draft, but struggled for opportunities early in his career with the Demons.

He did not debut until round one, 2009, and played 12 matches that season.

It remains his highest tally of games played in a single year.

Cheney was traded to Hawthorn in 2010 and was on the fringes of selection for the club through one of its most successful eras.

In his four seasons with Hawthorn, the team finished in the top four every year and captured two premierships, but Cheney was overlooked in finals.

He was traded to Adelaide during the summer, and has settled in with the Crows, playing eight of 10 games this year.

Cheney spoke to the Mail-Times in the lead-up to Thursday night’s match and said he was enjoying playing regularly at senior level for the first time in his career.

‘‘It hasn’t been smooth sailing,’’ he said.

‘‘This is my eighth season in the AFL now and there have been a lot of ups and downs, but I’m quite proud of the 50-game milestone I have been able to achieve.

‘‘The move to Adelaide has been a good one for me. This is the most consistent senior footy I’ve played for my career.’’

Cheney said he was looking forward to playing against his old team-mates.

‘‘It’s probably a good thing that it has come against Hawthorn,’’ he said.

‘‘It will be a little bit weird going out against the old guys for a start, but once the bounce goes I won’t notice it too much, and I’ve done it against the Demons before so it’s not new.’’