Hawthorn defender Brian Lake said he never lost faith in his ability to play senior footy again after a bad run with injuries marred his final years at the Bulldogs.
Lake, who will play his 200th AFL match this weekend, nominated the 2011 season in particular as one the toughest he has ever had to deal with as he came in for harsh criticism from the media over his output and attitude despite hardly having a pre-season that year due to three separate operations.
But the veteran, who crossed to Waverley Park last year, insisted he was now the fittest he has felt in a long time and wouldn't rule out playing for the Hawks for many years to come.
"That was definitely a tough year, 2011, it wasn't a happy place to be," Lake said on Monday.
"I always thought I could get back, it was just so many injuries in a short space of time.
"Up to that point I hadn't missed a game through injury.
"I just couldn't catch up [to his team-mates in terms of match fitness] and copped fair bit of heat for that year.
"But I guess getting body right and getting a full pre-season in the year after that, and I played some good football last year, it just gave myself a lot of confidence back in my body.
"The way my body's pulling up now after stripping down a little bit in weight, I don't see an ending any time soon to be honest.
"The knee is the best it's felt for a very long time ... all the other injuries, the shoulder (and) the hips are beautiful at the moment."
Lake said his move to the Hawks freshened him up after he admitted to becoming complacent in his final years at the Bulldogs and being part of a team that is challenging for a premiership has boosted his motivation.
"To come to a club that's pushing for top four at the moment but (also) for the ultimate glory, it definitely gives you a little bit more energy and excitement," Lake said.
The 31-year-old definitely took the scenic route before finally landing on an AFL list back in 2001 and he described his impending milestone as 'unbelievable'.
"I went to the draft camp in the year 2000 and missing out on that and then getting drafted in 2001 was probably a little bit of a surprise, I thought I might have missed the boat a little bit," Lake said.
"So you come over here and go to the Bulldogs at pick 71 and getting my first game in my first year was such a great thrill and now 11 years later to be playing 200 games it's something I definitely didn't expect."
Lake admitted it would take him a while to gel with his new team-mates in defence but is enjoying adapting to Hawthorn's style of play.
His most high profile team-mate Lance Franklin has been held goalless in the past two rounds, but Lake dismissed suggestions that his decision to put off contract talks until the end of the year was adversely affecting him.
"He's still playing his role, he's bringing the ball to ground ... for him personally, he would like to be kicking goals, but what he's doing for the side now, he's doing his role," Lake said.
"I've had that issue back when I had to sign my contract as well and I don't see it as a distraction for me personally when I was in that situation, not at all."