It was a classic Tom Stewart move.

As he prepares to line up for game number 150 against Adelaide on Friday night, Stewart was doing the usual run of media appearances ahead of the big game.

But as much as interviewers wanted to talk about him and his remarkable career to date, the ever-humble Stewart wanted to talk about everyone else.

The family and friends who have helped him along the way on what has been a somewhat different journey are for him front of mind, even if some are a little miffed that he’s travelling interstate for his second straight milestone.

“I keep finding myself travelling interstate so people are getting pretty annoyed with me whenever I play a milestone game," he said with a laugh when speaking with SEN on Wednesday morning.  

“I think there's about a dozen that will end up coming across which is pretty cool. I've had the same group of friends since I was 13 or 14 years old from South Barwon, then obviously my partner, my kids and some family members as well. 

“It's a really nice time to have and to reflect on those people that have been along the journey with me.”

The journey to the Cats has been told many times now, and as noteworthy as it is, Stewart was again at pains to say that it’s not unique, but he does have one eye on those that have taken the road less travelled, as he has. 

“I think it started well before me”, he said.  

“James Podsiadly down here, and Scotty Thompson, another South Barwon expat, I just think the opportunities that are there for those that may not be ready at 18 or may not be rated at that age, have just become more and more prevalent. 

“Seeing Shaun (Mannagh) on Saturday night, his journey, it reminded me of Tom Atkins who kept toiling away and kept plugging away and eventually got his shot. 

“They do bring a big smile to my face because I do feel like they're close to my heart, but I'm just so proud of those that do take that journey that's just a bit longer because you see the joy that they bring out there and the emotion that it brings to their family as well is something that is something special.” 

If you know Tom Stewart, you know he’s as competitive a player as there is, and to be there on the last day in September is always the ultimate goal, despite the individual accolades that persistently come his way. 

 But now, eight seasons in after debuting at 24, Stewart is determined to lift up those new to the club in the same way his mentors did for him early on in his career. It's a legacy play that is clearly very important to him. 

“I've had some great success along the journey individually but nothing compares to winning a premiership and that's all we're really about," he said. 

“But the players I get to play with and have played with over the journey have made me the player I am.

"So, Harry Taylor, Lachie Henderson, Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan early days, they were the ones that left a massive impact on me and I'm trying to do my best now being an older player to try and instil those same values in our young boys.”