HAWTHORN forward Stuart Dew said that Shane Crawford is likely to play his 300th game this weekend having pulled up well after his side’s 54-point victory over the Pies at the MCG on Friday night.

Crawford has been struggling with knee tendonitis for much of the season, having missed seven games due to the complaint so far (including one week’s suspension).

“From all reports he’s pulled up well,” Dew said.

“I sat down with him for the last five minutes on the bench and had a chat and he said he was feeling really good, so it’s promising.”

Dew said it would be an exciting time, not only for the 33-year-old, but for the club and his family as well.

“You don’t see many players getting to 300 (games) these days. Maybe with the current group of players playing there’ll be a couple (to make 300 games) but I think he’ll be one of the last guys to play 300 games.”

Dew, 28, made his return from a month on the sidelines against the Pies on Friday and kicked a goal in the first minute to mark his return. The former Power player admitted he was glad to get back on the field having completed a month of intensive training.

“It can get frustrating sitting in the stands. I knew what the plan was and when I was coming back so I had my head my head around it reasonably early. I could have played but it has worked out okay.

“I’m very grateful for the faith of the selection panel to put me straight back in. I was probably lucky with Ossie (Michael Osborne) not coming back up. I would have had a game at Box Hill. You’ve got to take your chances, especially in a successful side, because they don’t like to change the team.”