IT HAS taken Ben McEvoy a little longer than expected to reach his 100^th AFL game this year.

The Hawthorn ruckman would have achieved the milestone in Round 12 had he not suffered a hamstring injury against the Power in Round 10 and then be forced to condition himself for matches through the VFL.

Instead, he’s had to wait until Round 18 where he will play in his 100^th career game in a blockbuster Saturday night clash against Sydney at the MCG.

It is a high stakes clash, with a Hawthorn victory crucial in securing a top-two finish heading into September. A loss though would see the Hawks in danger of slipping out of the top four at the end of the round and put a severe dent in the opportunity to qualify for a home Qualifying Final.

Thus, what is at stake on Saturday night has put the milestone on the back burner for McEvoy, who says securing victory is more important than a personal achievement.

“I haven’t thought about it too much to be honest,” McEvoy told hawthornfc.com.au ahead of Saturday night’s game.

“It’s something to look back on and reflect as a good achievement but at the minute, I just can’t wait to get out there on Saturday night.

“It sounds like a cliché but that’s what we’re all about, winning games of footy.”

McEvoy’s mindset reflects that of the team-first attitude at Hawthorn and the importance of a victory on Saturday night.

Teammate Jarryd Roughead, who will play his 200^th game has also said this week that his focus is solely on securing Hawthorn’s 13^th win of the season, rather than celebrating his own achievement.

Securing that victory will be tough though and will require Hawthorn’s best on Saturday night to knock off a team that hasn’t been beaten since Round 4.

The Hawks returned to form, however, against the Crows before the bye with a stirring win at a hostile Adelaide Oval.

McEvoy played his best game for the Club, winning 24 hit outs, 15 disposals and two goals.

It was his first game back after spending two weeks in the VFL, kept out of the side by young ruckman, Jonathan Ceglar but a performance that reminded everyone why his recruitment was a coup for the Hawks at the end of last season.

He was a towering force against All-Australian-bound Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs.

McEvoy says the stint at the lower level while frustrating, has enabled him to get into a good, consistent month of footy.

“It’s always frustrating when you can’t get out there but that holds you in good stead for the latter part of the year because I feel pretty fresh now,” he said.

“It means you have to play good footy to get back in, which I did.

“I’ve got a pretty good last month behind me now so I’m confident in my fitness and my form.

“It’s good to be back in and playing footy, I’m loving it.”

The ruckman is ready for another big performance against the current league-leaders and as the best lift on the big stage, he and his teammates are ready for the challenge.

“A win would be huge,” he said.

“They got one on us earlier in the year and that never sits well.

“The boys are pumped up, we’ve trained well this week and we’re ready to go.”

McEvoy played 91 games for St Kilda between 2008-2013 before joining Hawthorn where he has played eight games.