A lot has evolved over the past decade, Minson has grown up, dealt with injuries, form and confidence, as well as playing 149 games of football in Bulldogs colours.
The 28-year-old wasn’t always so convinced he had the longevity or talent to make it – but lining-up for his 150th match against GWS Giants on Saturday, he has more than proved himself and the doubters wrong.
“It was ten and a bit years ago now and I am really excited to be playing [my] 150th,” Minson said.
“I remember driving in the car with Ben Harrison for numerous weeks on the way to training and he said something like ‘you’ll be around for a while, Will’.
“I just didn’t think that would be the case at all, knowing I hadn’t played a lot of junior footy and was pretty raw.
“But to hear him make a judgement that I might be around for ten years was sort of farcical at the time and well, he was right.”
If Minson maintains his average for the remainder of the year, he will have won more hitouts in the past two seasons (currently 1209) than in his first nine seasons combined (1490).
The 28-year-old has also doubled his average hitouts and clearances from 2011 and increased his general workrate and influence around the ground.
At the end of the 2012 home and away season, Minson led the competition in hitouts and ranked fourth in taps to advantage but his dominance in 2013 has seen him further extend his lead – sitting 38 hitouts in front of the second placed Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne).
While his career best form doesn’t coincide with the Bulldogs challenging in the finals, Minson understands the important role he plays, providing experience in a rebuilding side.
Off the field he is also one of the most well respected leaders around the Club, particularly within the Bulldogs key position stocks and has made an invaluable impact as a mentor to a number of emerging players.
