Superstar defender Sam Taylor says while he’s honoured to play in his 100^th AFL game this weekend, it’s ‘all business’ on Saturday as the club looks to take down the Bombers at Marvel Stadium to celebrate another milestone man: club legend and impending 300-gamer Callan Ward.

A star of the competition in his own right, with an All-Australian blazer and a Kevin Sheedy Medal to his name, Taylor will bring up his 100^th AFL game on Saturday but the no frills defender says it’s not about him this weekend as inaugural GIANT Ward plays his 300^th game in the AFL.

“I’m very honoured to play 100 games but to see ‘Wardy’ [Callan Ward] play 300 games makes me want to play for him and achieve success for him and hopefully we can do that,” Taylor said.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're all very motivated for Saturday.

“He’s played 300 games and been an absolute star. He plays the way we want to play and if we can all have a bit of Wardy in us come Saturday then I think we’ll do very well, because he’s a superstar and he plays the GIANTS way.

“He’s been a remarkable player - he plays tough, and he’s someone you want to play with and do everything for,” Taylor added.

Allowing himself a moment to reflect on his own journey, Taylor – who grew up on a farm in Western Australia as one of seven siblings - admits his AFL dream always felt far from a reality as a teenager.

“It has always been my dream but as a kid I never thought I could make it,” the star defender said.

“When I was younger I thought AFL was unreachable and I didn’t think I could achieve it. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I thought I was a chance of making the AFL.

“I’m obviously very grateful to play 100 games now but I’ll go out there and play it like any other game - it’s all business on my end,” the 25-year-old said.

Establishing himself as one of, if not the best, defenders in the competition across his first 99 games, Taylor says the high and low of his AFL career to date have come against the same fierce foe.

“Winning that prelim in 2019 [against Collingwood], and making the grand final, was the highlight so far. That was amazing.

“And then the lowlight was last year when we lost the prelim by a point,” he added.

Listing Demons star Steven May as a player he watches and admires for his talent and his leadership, Taylor admits that while his focus may have once been about being the AFL’s best defender, it’s since shifted to achieving the ultimate glory alongside his best mates.

“You can be the best defender in the game but if you’re not leading and winning games then it doesn’t mean too much.

“In football there’s no better feeling than playing finals and winning finals so I used to have a really strong desire to be the best defender in the game, but now it’s more about trying to win a flag.

“We all play for the team [at the GIANTS] and achieving that goal would be pretty memorable…there’s nothing better than winning and celebrating with teammates.

“When you achieve stuff by yourself - you celebrate by yourself. But achieving something as a team and winning a flag would be the best thing ever – and doing it for Wardy would be pretty magical too.”

Taylor will play his 100^th AFL match alongside Ward in his 300^th match when the GIANTS take on Essendon at Marvel Stadium at 4:35pm on Saturday.