DEFENDER Nick Haynes will achieve another milestone in a brilliant career when he plays his 250th game on Saturday night.

An All Australian in 2020, Haynes was a foundation player at GWS where he played 13 seasons before crossing to Carlton at the end of 2024.

Nick Haynes was drafted to GWS at the end of 2011.

Drafted as a 19-year-old out of the Dandenong Stingrays as a first-round pick, Haynes - who was originally drafted as a forward - played his first game in Round 10 of the 2012 season and found a home down back.

Playing 211 games for the Giants (including a Grand Final), Haynes is a former Kevin Sheedy Medallist who became one of the game’s most consistent and watchable defenders.

As courageous as they come in the air, Haynes made the move back to Victoria at the age of 32, where he has rarely missed a beat since arriving at his second club.

Playing every game in his first season, Haynes overcame a pre-season injury to play 15 straight games for the Blues at AFL level, and was one of the Blues’ best in game No.249 against Gold Coast with 24 disposals and 13 marks.

Nick Haynes will play his 250th AFL game this weekend.

A valuable mentor for the Blues’ emerging defensive group, Haynes very quickly won the respect of his teammates and has endeared himself to Carlton fans with his relentless approach on game days.

The unflappable, no-fuss defender will reach the same milestone in the same game as captain Patrick Cripps when Carlton hosts the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium this Saturday night.