WHEN the Bulldogs play Adelaide in round one, Scott West will equal club legend Ted Whitten's tally of 321 games. This will place West equal third behind Chris Grant (341) and Doug Hawkins (329) in the list of the club's games record holders. In the first part of a series of interviews we  speak exclusively to the  seven-time best and fairest about what it means to once again write himself into the Bulldog  record books.

How does it feel to equal a great like Ted Whitten on games played?
I'm proud I've been able to play as long as I have been able to. Having grown up with an aim to play AFL football, just to play one game was an absolute thrill. But, to be able to play and stay in the system as long as I have and reach that milestone, I feel reasonably proud of it.

What are your memories of Ted?
Being a premiership player and such an icon of the western suburbs, from when I first got here and played under 19s and watched the seniors and the reserves and sat in the EJ Whitten Stand, he was always just larger than life. There were many jumper presentations that he was at and obviously with his relationship with the Big V as well. He was just a Bulldog through and through.

To have your name linked with his, first as the equal games holder and then  presumably going above him, how does that compare to reaching other milestones?
It's something I really haven't thought about. I guess playing 321 games is the only thing that will link us together permanently. He's a premiership player and that's what we all aim for. It's a great thrill to be linked in that sort of way with that sort of person and it's been mentioned to me a couple of times and I have a huge amount of respect for Ted. But, all up, I just see it as another game. It's just one of those milestones where I've played enough games. One day, someone was always going to equal him.

Do you think about going past his record and having a crack at the records of Chris Grant and Doug Hawkins?
They're really hard questions because I don't think about it that much. When you get older, you're just thankful to still be playing. Obviously, my links to Doug are probably closer, but I guess it's similar to when Chris broke the record. His link to Ted is because of the No.3 jumper and games played, and my links are with Doug because we both wore the No.7 and have played a fair few games in that number, as I've been lucky enough to play a good portion of my career in it. Reaching his milestone of 329 might mean more, because of the No.7. But, it's one of those things that I'll have to look at when I get there, if I get there.

If you did become the games record holder, what would that mean at the end of your career?
It would be something to look back on. A lot of these scenarios are like any personal achievements, you reflect on [them] when you finish and you get that opportunity to look back on your career.

All these milestones and accolades though, they can't replace what you ultimately want to achieve, can they?
That's right. I guess it's becoming a lot more frustrating towards the end of my career because I know the more years I play, the closer I am to the end of my career. It's been something I've been wanting to get for so long and it is frustrating. The number of games played, it is a magnificent thing, and don't get me wrong I feel very proud that I've been able to stay in the system and play this many games, but you look at careers like Dermott Brereton's – he probably played 180 games and won five flags. If you ask a lot of players, they'd want that situation. But, this is how the penny falls sometimes.

Do you ever reach a point where you think: "this isn't going to happen"?
You never, ever give up hope, and you never, ever talk about missing out. I think in quiet times, when you're alone and you're reflecting, those sorts demons might go through your head. But, while you're still playing, you still have an opportunity to win one, so you've just got to really focus on that.

It's significant in a way that you and Brad Johnson are celebrating important milestones together on the same day when the same thing eludes and frustrates the two of you.
It is. I've been fortunate enough to play with Chris Grant, who is one of the greatest Bulldog players, and Rohan Smith and I played our 300th game together, and now to play in Brad's 300th game, that's a big thrill for me. He started exactly 12 months after I did, so to see him and virtually play our whole careers together, it gives me a great thrill to see him grow and become the player and person he is. It's a credit to himself.

Stay tuned for part two next Thursday, when West explains the perfect distraction from football, his post-career plans and how he thinks the Bulldogs will perform in 2008.