Al McKinnon: Roo reaches 300th game, earns WFL life membership

Dimboola Football Club was where it all began for Al, and it is here where he will most likely round out his career.

The 34-year-old will celebrate a well-rounded milestone on Saturday, one only a select few are lucky to reach.

McKinnon will line up for his 300th senior game for the club against Warrack Eagles on Saturday.

It will pave the way to a Wimmera Football League life membership, an honour bestowed on footballers who reach the triple century.

McKinnon's career has spanned almost 20 years.

His maiden match in the firsts is one he remembers fondly.

"I was 15 years old, playing my first senior game with my old man," he said.

"That's first on my list."

Football nowadays is slightly less vicious than it was when his father Harvey played, but McKinnon believes he has retained some of his father's hardened traits.

"That was the end of the rough and tough era, so I suppose I've kept a little bit of that in my game," he said.

"I'm not really an athletic or agile player, so I just try to bring that toughness into the match and contest and put on a good show for the boys."

Harvey certainly ruffled a few feathers in his time, at one stage nibbling an opponent's nose.

Will McKinnon follow in his father's footsteps in that regard? Who knows?

He has played 11 interleague matches for the Big W.

His 2013 premiership triumph as Dimboola captain was the perfect way to dispel the memories of previous lost chances as skipper.

"I captained a couple of losing grand final sides, which wasn't the best, but I eventually won one as captain," he said.

"The interleague games have also been valuable to my development."

Many footballers find there is more to being a part of a club than reaching milestones and achieving individual accolades.

It is about the camaraderie built over the journey.

For McKinnon, it is no different.

"I suppose it's more special when you've had time to reflect, but when you're still heavily involved and still going, you treat it differently," he said.

"You just try to win, and that's the main thing. We need to win as a group. It's not just all about me.

"I grew up around the club and the milestone is a pretty big moment. I suppose now I have time to reflect on people who have been there and come and gone, and kept the club going for that long.

"I'm just happy to be a part of it.

"It's not about individuals. It's about the jeopardy of the club."

There is certainly plenty at stake on Saturday as the Roos look to arrest a form slump that sees them hovering on the edge of the top-five.

Injuries have certainly taken their toll, but McKinnon is confident the side can make its presence felt if it sneaks into finals.

"It's not going to get any easier, but we really still think we're not far away and think we can match it with the good teams for patches," he said.

"It's just the four quarter performances. We're really working hard on that consistency.

"I still don't think there's a team - if we're on our game - we can't beat.

"The key for us is to try to lock away a spot in finals and hit the ground running and shake it up."

McKinnon prides himself on his ability to win the hard-ball in the clinches, but concedes he does enjoy the odd foray forward.

With a number of young players stepping up, McKinnon hopes he - and other senior stalwarts - can shoulder some of the burden.

Perhaps he can inspire his teammates to a much-needed victory on Saturday to put the Roos back in the premiership race.