RESPECTED by teammates and opponents alike, Geelong veteran Corey Enright has been described in the AFL Record as one of the best medium-sized defenders of all time by his coach Chris Scott.

This weekend, the 33-year-old Enright becomes just the third Cat to reach the 300-game milestone, joining Ian Nankervis and John 'Sam' Newman.

The unassuming three-time premiership player grew up in Kimba, a town of 600 in South Australia at the top of the Eyre Peninsula, and always considered AFL football a distant dream.

But from the moment he was given the opportunity to join the Cats as pick No.47 in the 1999 draft, he seized it.

He worked on his game from day one and began to build the skills that made him such a valuable member of the best defence in the modern era.

Known for his ability to both quell opponents and read the play, the AFL Record spoke to his current coach, ex-teammates Cameron Ling and Brad Sholl, one of his most talented opponents, Collingwood's Alan Didak, Nankervis and those who knew him when he won the Eastern Eyre Football League best and fairest while playing for the Kimba Tigers.

The decorated Enright has been named All Australian five times and won two best and fairest awards in Geelong premiership years, yet somehow managed to fly under the radar.

Those who know him best said he knew when to switch on and switch off, and remains one of the more popular players at the Cats.

His ‘mad Monday’ exploits are legendary, as is his ability to enjoy himself when the time is right.   

But he has managed to keep away from the headlines, earning a reputation as a no-fuss footballer who gets the job done every week regardless of the occasion and the opposition.

For that, he has become one of the game's most popular players.