Last Friday, Dan Hannebery played his 200th game. At just 27, he’s the youngest Swan in VFL/AFL history to reach that mark.

I remember seeing him at the start of his career. It was at Melbourne's Olympic Park, two weeks after the season had ended. At a time when most players are recovering from a physically demanding season or making up for missed social opportunities, Hannebery was pushing himself with an athletics coach he’d hired from outside the club, working on his top speed and repeat sprint efforts.

Dan Hannebery goes hard. Credit:AAP

Most footballers who reach Hannebery’s level of expertise are willing to do things both in their preparation and on match day that others won't. That’s what separates them from the herd.

His ability to do what others won’t, his willingness to play sore and the chance to play many finals have sped him to the 200-game milestone at an especially young age. However, it’s not the number of games, but the way he's played them that stand out to me when I think about Hannebery.

There's the way his mind has been able to overrule his physical limitations. When he was drafted, there were question marks about his pace. But through extra work, some of which I witnessed in the off season, these were put to bed.