Journeyman is a word that is often used when it comes to milestone games, and for Sam Frost the rollercoaster ride to his 150th game has encapsulated exactly that and more.
Drafted to GWS with Pick 83 in 2012, Frost spent three seasons at the club during its early years, playing 21 games before requesting a trade back home to Victoria.
He then added 70 games while at Melbourne between 2015 to 2019 before landing at Hawthorn ahead of the 2020 season where he has since gone on to play a further 58 games.
As he prepares to enter his 150th career game this weekend, Frost has played under six coaches, starting with Kevin Sheedy and Leon Cameron at GWS, Paul Roos and Simon Goodwin at Melbourne, plus Alastair Clarkson and now Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn.
In what will be a fitting occasion, the 29-year-old will now square up against his old side in Melbourne for his milestone game.
While some players make an immediate impact in the AFL system, Frost only really began to hit his stride in the later end of his career.
Known as one of the club's most fierce competitors on the field, Frost has been among the Hawks' most reliable performers since joining the club in the 2019 trade period.
Externally, Frost is a player that goes under the radar, but internally he’s highly valued.
He made an immediate impact in his first year in the brown and gold, missing just one game to finish equal eighth in the 2020 Peter Crimmins Medal count.
The 194cm tall went on to play every game in 2021 which was a career-best season, going two better in the best and fairest to finish sixth, while also being awarded Hawthorn's most consistent player.
Frost continued his dominance as one of the Hawks' most important defenders in season 2022, averaging 13.2 disposals and 4.6 marks per game, but his season was cut short due to injury.
Despite turning 29 this year, Frost looks to still be at the peak of his powers, playing some career-best football from the eight games so far in 2023.
Frost again has continued to show his aerial dominance down back this season, averaging a career-high of five marks a game, while his 14.6 disposals per game is above his career average of 12.9, with his 2.6 intercept marks per game also higher than his career average of 1.6.
Despite only being in his fourth year at the club, Frost has quickly developed into one of the more senior heads in Hawthorn’s defence, becoming a valuable leader among Sam Mitchell's young and emerging side.
Earlier this year he was recognised as part of the club's six-man ‘Moorditj Kuda’ leadership group, with the reliable defender instrumental in help fostering Hawthorn’s strong culture, as well as drive standards to set up the club for future success.
Away from the football field, Frost is a regular face within the community, often advocating for the club's impact within the mental health and inclusion space, which has seen him become a strong supporter of Hawthorn's Wheelchair and AFL Blind teams.
Frost will play his 150th career game against Melbourne this week as part of Hawthorn's Emergency Services Match on Saturday, with the first bounce scheduled for 4.35pm.
