On the eve of his 300th game Luke Power knows he could quite easily have walked away when long-time friend and Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss told him there would not be a place for him on the 2012 list.

As a member of one of the greatest sides of all time that won three consecutive flags from 2001-2003, an All Australian representative and co-captain of Brisbane in 2007-08, such a decision would be perfectly understandable.

Yet Power surprised many when he decided to move to expansion club Greater Western Sydney, a decision that rightfully sees him become the 66th player in VFL-AFL history to play 300 games and perhaps more importantly, secure a place in the Giants record books.

A player of great character, a man Giants chief executive David Matthews described as an 'outstanding player' and an 'outstanding individual' during the week will be rewarded this Saturday against Melbourne at Manuka Oval in Canberra, not just for 15 years of unwavering AFL service but for the vital role he has played in securing GWS's building blocks.

As a pint-sized recruit in 1998, the then 17-year-old was reluctant to move away from family and friends in Melbourne to start life in the AFL with Brisbane, but in a poetic twist of fate is now playing mentor to a host of young Giants dealing with the same issues he had to back then.

Now a co-captain at GWS and earmarked for a full-time assistant role as a defensive coach next year if he doesn't play on, Power has the luxury of finishing knowing he played an important role and left a lasting legacy.

Last season many expected the 32-year-old to call it a day, but incumbent Giants coach Kevin Sheedy was among a number at the club delighted the man with the crafty left-foot opted to stoke the fire once more.

Sheedy's respect for Power was extended with substitute appearances in Rounds 13, 16 and 20 after a rib injury, in a bid to nurse him through the season and to the 300 club.

While 17 of a possible 19 games for GWS hasn't quite delivered on his goal of playing 'every minute of every game', Power would surely savour another four points far more as the curtain on his career draws to a close.