HAWTHORN veteran Brent Guerra will play his 250th AFL match if selected for Saturday's blockbuster against Richmond at the MCG.

Having played at both Port Adelaide (65 games) and St Kilda (31), Guerra made a name for himself in the AFL as a defender with elite skills during his career with both clubs, but has forged a reputation as a hard man, a dour and reliable defender with elite skills at the Hawks.

His third club, Guerra was drafted to Hawthorn with pick 3 in the 2006 AFL Pre-Season Draft and soon became a key figure in Hawthorn’s back six.

He was part of Coach Alastair Clarkson’s plan to recruit players with elite skills to the Club, a strategy that eventually helped in win the 2008 premiership, a side in which Guerra was part.

He has been a stalwart in the Hawthorn defence for the majority of his career in brown and gold, and despite missing out on playing in last year's Grand Final through injury, has shown great leadership and tenacity in the way he has attacked the 2013 season.

Guerra has found a home at Hawthorn after being traded by the Power then cut by the Saints at the end of the 2006 season. 

He recently played his 150th match in brown and gold in Round 13 against the Eagles.