Teammates have come and gone, coaches have led and left but one thing that hasn't is the friend who joins the 29-year-old for the trip from Colac to the Bombers' training and games.

Jesse Williamson is usually the teammate who shares the driving duties with Paatsch, who will play his 100^th club game on Saturday, over the half-an-hour trip to Cobden Recreation Reserve.

The utility - who is jugging work, footy and a one-year-old son - said he had built a close friendship with Williamson.

"I talk to about him about stuff you wouldn't normally talk about in front of many people and it's meant we've got to know each other a bit better," he said.

"I'd never met him until I started playing there in 2014 when it was his first year of senior footy and my first year.

"He is now one of my closest mates along with guys like Sam Uwland, Jake Evans and Louis Cahill."

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Paatsch started his senior career with Colac and District side Otway Districts before following close friend Brody Mahoney, who is now playing in the SANFL, to the Hampden league club.

A return to finals was the key driver for the Colac-based electrician heading into next season with his fondest memory over the 100 games being the journey to the preliminary final in 2017.

"When we made the prelim after we sort of got written off by a number of clubs, which helped us because they underestimated our potential," he said.

"Obviously playing finals footy doesn't look likely this season but I think if we stick together and pick up a few handy recruits and put in good pre-season there is always a chance to make finals next year."

Earlier in the season Paatsch told The Standard "it'd be good to play my 100th game - I have never played 100 senior games anywhere else."

Now the loyal Bomber, who has slotted 86 goals over his six seasons, will get his chance to reach an achievement at a club he is proud to travel to week in, week out.

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