“At one stage or another, I’ve played on every line of the ground, other than the centre line,” the Blues stalwart said. “That probably, in the early days, helped me out because it allowed me to get a game.”

But the 33-year-old, who is set to play his 250th game on Saturday, has well and truly entrenched his spot in the Blues’ best 22 over the past decade.

As the body starts to slow down, McCarthy has been spending more time forward, but it is as a ruckman that he has made the greatest impact and enjoyed his football most.

He starting playing in the ruck in 2009 as a back-up, but worked his way up to be the Blues’ number-one ruckman.

McCarthy – who was part of the the 2010, 2012 and 2013 premiership teams – said having to wait until he was 26 for his first flag helped him savour it, but relished the chance to play finals football at any stage.

“Clearly the three premierships were great, but I think finals football – any time you can win any final – it’s just always a great feeling,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be in a very successful side.”

McCarthy played his junior football at Hawkesdale-Macarthur before following older brother Grant across to Reid Oval in 2001.

“Once I was there, I didn’t want to play anywhere else,” McCarthy said.

But as a teenager, he found it tough to crack into the senior side, with the Blues marching to back-to-back flags in 2001 and 2002.

It wasn’t until 2008 that a fitter McCarthy felt he really cemented his spot.

Warrnambool coach John Cook lauded McCarthy’s contribution to the Blues.

“He’s been a fantastic player for the Warrnambool football club – his ability to move around the ground has been well-documented,” Cook said.

“(He) made a real niche for himself in the ruck.

“He goes down as one of the very good players of the current era. As a club person and a leader, he’s been a really important part of our organisation.”