But, if there was to be a break in play, last year's coronavirus-enforced layoff came at the right time.

Bull, 29, welcomed his third child Holly in July as Victoria lived with lockdown restrictions.

Football's hiatus gave the reliable defender a chance to bunker down with his family.

"I was really lucky because Holly was born and a week later they stopped anyone going up into the hospitals," he reflected this week ahead of his 200^th Hampden league senior game.

"We were only allowed up there in two-hour stints too."

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Bull, who is also proud dad to Ava, 9, and Marli, 2, used the extra family time to propose to his partner Nikkyta.

They plan to get married in January.

In the meantime, Bull is back on the footy field, providing a steadying influence in the Blues' back line.

The 2010, '12 and '13 premiership player will run out for a major milestone on Saturday at The Pond - game 200.

He arrived at the club as an eager teenager after starting his football with Warrnambool and District league club Old Collegians.

"I wanted to swap over to Hampden league and I had a couple of schoolmates who were at Warrnambool," Bull said.

"I went up there in 2006 and haven't left."

He hasn't strayed far from defence too.

"The back line is where I am most comfortable," Bull said.

"It is where I have played my whole career and I think a back six is usually a tight-knit group so that's always good."

Bull, a second-year apprentice builder who used to work as a plasterer, said playing for Warrnambool, a club whose history stretches back to 1861, was an honour.

"I just love the club. It's just an outlet for everyone - you've got 30-odd mates there," he said.

"Once you get there you can let go of the rest of life and just talk a lot of dribble with your mates.

"It is such a proud jumper to wear so you go out and give your heart on a Saturday."

Warrnambool coach Ben Parkinson said that approach epitomised Bull.

"It is really important we play well for Brad," he said.

"We've done some messages from his former coaches, past teammates and current teammates and there's been a really strong theme about his team-first attitude and how relentless he is."

Bull said he'd been lucky to play for the club during a period of dominance and alongside some top-line footballers including Dustin McCorkell, Josh Walters and Jason Rowan.

Rowan remains a teammate but will miss Saturday's clash against Portland with a shoulder injury.

"I was pretty shattered because I reckon Jase played in my first game and would've been there for my 200th," Bull said.

Warrnambool (1-2) and Portland (2-1) are aiming to take confidence into a league-wide bye.

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