Heath Grundy was denied at two National Drafts and began his AFL career as a fringe forward, but on Friday night the evergreen defender will burst through the banner for his 250^th game.

The 2012 premiership backman will raise the bat as Sydney hosts the ladder-leading West Coast Eagles at the SCG, a milestone which in the mid-2000s appeared lightyears away.

The 32-year-old was shunned at the 2003 National Draft and again in November of 2004, before eventually inking a contract at the Rookie Draft later in the month.

He then cobbled together just 24 games across the 2006, ‘07 and ‘08 seasons as he hopped between senior and reserves football as a forward.

But in 2009 a mix of retirement, injury and ageing opened the door for Grundy to make a permanent shift to the senior side’s defence – and he hasn’t looked back since.

Although his early days threw up a number of hurdles, he took his chances with both hands.

“You’ve got to deal with what you get,” Grundy told SwansTV.

“There wasn’t much I could do about the Draft. I got an opportunity from the Swans a little bit later than I would’ve liked but that’s how it pans out. I was fortunately able to take my opportunity and kick on and play a few games and make a decent career of it.

“There’s not much you can do about the selection process and Drafts. You’ve just got to make do and get on with it.

“I played juniors a fair bit in defence and forward and through the midfield in the ruck, so I had played a lot of footy in a number of different positions like a lot of other junior kids.

“I was drafted here as a forward and spent three or four years playing as a forward in the reserves and a few of my early senior games I played as a forward. Then with a few retirements things down back opened up and I knew I’d played a bit of footy down there and I was probably more settled in defence and Paul Roos gave me an opportunity down there.”

Grundy will become the eighth player in Swans history to play 250 matches and will also bank his 77^th consecutive game, a record among Sydney’s current crop.

The South Australian broke a Club record in the clash with Adelaide earlier this season when he surpassed Sydney great Brett Kirk as the most-capped Swan for a player who started on a Rookie list.

He sits in eighth overall and ahead of the likes of Hawthorn champion Josh Gibson (225 games) and within striking distance of Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands (257).

Although the quiet achiever remains underrated in wider AFL circles, Grundy’s importance is not lost on anyone inside Swans walls.

Few are better placed than Swans backs coach and 2012 premiership teammate Rhyce Shaw to open up on Grundy’s stamp on the Club. 

“Reggie’s been a really reliable defender for us for a long time,” Shaw said.

“He gets the big jobs on the big forwards and more often than not comes out on top in most situations. He’s been a fantastic contributor to the Club for a very long time.

“In any group having guys like that with so much experience and so much knowledge is very important and Reggie’s certainly one of those. The difference he makes in terms of his voice and instruction and not just his football talent is incredible.”

Sydney recruited Grundy from SANFL club Norwood. 

He made his senior debut against Richmond in Round 16, 2006 as the Swans pencilled in a 48-point win at the SCG.

In a quirk for the statisticians, he’s taken his winning ways into every milestone match that’s followed – his 50^th, 100^th, 150^th and 200^th.

Grundy wasn’t convinced his milestone success would give the Swans a mental edge on Friday, but he said beating the high-flying Eagles in his 250^th game would make for a moment to savour.

“I hope so,” Grundy chuckled. 

“They’re playing some pretty good footy so anything like that we’ll run with.

“To come away with a win on Friday night would be unbelievable. They’re playing pretty well, we’ve been playing well over the last month or two and it’s going to be a big game. To come away with a win in your 250^th would be pretty special.

“I’m extremely proud, it means a lot to play 250 games.

“I really look forward to running out with my two little boys and sharing that moment with them.”