WHEN the Brisbane Lions won their third consecutive flag in 2003, strong-bodied footballers were all the rage; lithe, small forwards weren't.

So when a talented, speedy crumbing forward, with the ability to run and chase down opponents inside 50 by the name of Aaron Davey was overlooked in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft, in some respects, it wasn't a massive surprise.

Even though the likes of Melbourne, North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Essendon strongly considered him and the general consensus among the recruiting fraternity was that the 2003 Round-Fothergill Medallist (the VFL's equivalent of the AFL Rising Star) should have been on an AFL list.

So it was hardly surprising to see the then 20-year-old snapped up early by Melbourne (No.3 overall) in the 2003 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

Yet Davey's ability to not only debut in the opening round of the 2004 season – he subsequently played 19 matches that season including an elimination final – and then become a small forward recruiting model was a considerable feather in his cap.

Now, on the eve of round three, 2009, Davey is about to play his 100th AFL match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Easter Sunday.

And although the 25-year-old says he should have played his 100th game last season had it not been for injuries, it's still an outstanding effort from the Northern Territorian.

"As the years have gone on I've gotten to know about the oldest club in Australia and one of the oldest clubs in the world, so it's something I'm really proud of [to play 100 matches]," Davey said at Casey Fields on Tuesday.

"I said from day one that I wanted to get my name on the locker and I'm so grateful I got my opportunity from [former Melbourne coach] Neale Daniher and [ex-recruiting manager] Craig Cameron."

Davey says it's a surreal feeling knowing he is about to crack the ton.

"I'm still trying to come to terms with it," he said. "I was sitting around with my brother [Alwyn] the other night and was saying: 'I can't believe it's my 100th game'.

"It sort of gets you in a way and you wish that Austin [Wonaeamirri], Matty [Whelan] and all six of us [indigenous players] could be a part of it, because it's a special day for me and my family.

"In saying that, I'll be more rapt if we go out there and have a fair dinkum crack."

Reflecting on becoming the pin-up for the new wave of small indigenous forwards, Davey said it was "nice to get the recognition when commentators are saying I made that role.

"I like hearing it, but times have changed and I've moved up the ground a bit more and we haven't got a David Neitz type, who is going to bring the ball to ground," he added.

"It's also good to see other indigenous guys like my younger brother [Essendon's] Alwyn and [Hawthorn's] Cyril Rioli – guys who are really going on with it – and it'd be nice to [have the small forward role] be known as an indigenous thing."

Davey, who is one of six indigenous players at Melbourne, says he now feels like a leader for his people and in general at the club, considering he is one of the 'elder' Demons on a young list. 

"It's (being a leader) developed in my time at the Melbourne footy club and we had an [AFL] indigenous camp this year and it was a pretty young group," he said.

"[Sydney Swans] Adam Goodes, guys like that you look up to, but I just hope I'm leading the right way … and other guys coming up like [Collingwood's] Brad Dick and [Brisbane Lions] Rhan Hooper [follow]. Hopefully, they can stay in the AFL for a number of years.

"If they look up to me in that way, I'll be happy."