After 12 years of senior football, beloved Cat Tom Lonergan will play his 200th game this weekend against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

One of the game's most reliable and resilient defenders, Lonergan made his debut in 2005. A season later and in just his seventh match, the Yarrawonga boy courageously went back with the flight in a round 21 match against Melboure, sustaining a life-threatening injury which resulted in the loss of his kidney.

Lonergan successfully made his return to football in 2007, has since won a premiership with the Cats in 2011 and continues to lead the Geelong backline week in, week out.

Take a look back at the journey of beloved Cat Tom Lonergan to 200 games through the gallery below.