Both Lance Franklin and Dustin Martin are destined to be legends in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Their on-field feats have defined this generation of footy.
The highlight reels will remain a YouTube sensation for our children’s children as we pass on stories of what it was like to watch 'Buddy' and 'Dusty' at play.
As well as their audacious talents the pair shared an impenetrable veil of mystery.
For all that we have seen, Buddy and Dusty are unknowable.
They were to be admired from afar rather than touched but it did nothing to lessen the magnetism.
No one was initially sure how many fans might be drawn to the MCG for the Saturday twilight slot to celebrate Dusty’s 300th.
But the estimate has rapidly grown from 60,000 to 80,000 and the sense of occasion has a grip of this footy-loving city.
And that’s without any promotion of the man himself.
Dusty’s book is a pictorial and his documentary will air without his voice.
But his presence is undeniable – brute force and raw power, the trademark don’t argue and jumper pull bursting with pride.
Dusty’s legend lives in the 91 games from the dawn for 2017 to the close of 2020.
His three Norm Smith Medals to be marvelled at like Makybe Diva’s three Melbourne Cups.
Across those years Dusty was the biggest drawcard in the game and it wasn’t even close.
300 games is the sport’s great milestone… the marker of excellence and longevity.
Dusty didn’t need it to enshrine his legend… that was taken care of years ago.
But Saturday provides a stage to honour a unique figure in the history of the game – and the Tiger army and footy faithful are clearly going to turnout en masse.
Individuals are selected for Legend status if they have caused the game to change significantly for the better.
Three Norm Smith Medals would see to that.