Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae will run out against Port Adelaide on Saturday in his 50th AFL match.

The 21-year-old has built up an impressive resume in his first 50 games including the Chris Grant Best First Year Player in 2013 and finishing runner up in the Club’s Charles Sutton medal in 2014 – only his second year of senior football.

Macrae said the milestone would hopefully be the first of many more to come.

“It’s a small step on the way to hopefully a long career but it’s good to tick it off and enjoy the week and look forward to a big weekend.”

The midfielder is averaging 24 disposals from his 50 matches, and is averaging 27 touches this season.

Macrae has amassed 30 or more possessions on 14 occasions but says his most memorable match was his side’s win in round five this season against the Sydney Swans.

“Probably the Sydney win this year was by far the most memorable.

“It was just a great performance from all the players and I think that will stick with us for a long time to come.”

Despite only in his third year, Macrae said he’s relished taking on more responsibility this season.

“I think you see this year how many players have debuted and although I’m still 21 years old there’s so many players who are younger than us so it does come that way so I’ve had to step up more as a leader and I’m enjoying it so far.

“I think playing that inside mid role I’ve really enjoyed it and found my spot in the team and just trying to get as many wins as possible for the rest of the year and play a role.

“With the mid group, we’ve got such good chemistry at the moment with all the different players going through and everyone’s really enjoying it.”

Bulldogs assistant coach Rohan Smith said Macrae had become a consistent performer since returning to the VFL for two matches earlier this season.

“Jacko’s been really consistent, probably for the last six or seven weeks he’s been great and him going back to the VFL team was probably really good for him… we felt that he just needed to work on some things for his game to improve and it’s certainly done that.

“He’s a great teammate now, some of the stuff that he’s done over the last four or five weeks, his work rate has just been amazing.

“Not only does he accumulate possessions but he just also helps out teammates at stoppages and puts a block on, does the ‘one percenters’ really well.”