WHEN Chris Hogan pulls on his Bendigo Braves singlet on Saturday, it will be for a record-breaking 332nd time.
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The basketball veteran has had a decorated career in the SEABL competition, winning the national championship in 2005 and playing in four conference finals.
But, when Hogan takes to the court against Mt Gambier he will add another achievement to his growing list.
This weekend he will break the Braves’ all time games record, surpassing legend Andrea Walsh’s milestone she set back in 2009.
The feat is something Hogan had never imagined breaking when he played his first Braves game more than 10 years ago.
“To be mentioned in the same breath as Andrea Walsh, who has such an impressive resume, is humbling," Hogan said.
"She deserves the record more than I do.
“I have just hung around for longer and wasn’t as good.
“But, at the same time I have loved having my name on the back of a Braves guernsey.
"Hopefully I can be remembered as someone who was relatively entertaining to watch and contributed to a few wins."
Hogan moved to Bendigo back in 1995 and then rose through the Bendigo Braves ranks before making his senior debut seven years later.
Throughout his career he has always been able to have a strong influence on games and shoot three-pointers at crucial stages.
He said on the eve of breaking the club’s games record, he has had a chance to look back on the highs and lows of his career.
“The older you get and hopefully, wiser you get, I am not exactly sure if that is happening, the more you reflect on what you have achieved,” Hogan said.
“It is probably the friendships and the family nature of the club is probably the most important aspect of my time with the Braves.
“I play every year because I enjoy it, a lot of my friends play and it keeps me fit.
“Also, the reason I keep playing is because I like to think I am getting better each year.
“There is probably going to be a point when I become a hindrance, hopefully someone tells me when that is happening.
“But, while I can still contribute I will keep playing, if that means more games to the tally, I guess that is how it will go.”
The 32-year-old said the idea of playing with another club had crossed his mind over the years.
But, admits it was only ever a thought and never something he strongly considered.
“I have flirted with the idea of doing different things along the way, whether that be at a different club or otherwise, but I guess Bendigo is home,” Hogan said.
“The Braves are my home and they mean more to me than any other team, so it is nice to have spent that much time at one club.”
Hogan said one of his finest achievements during his career was winning the national championship.
He said it will be a moment he will never forget.
“The 2005 ABA championship was pretty special,” Hogan said.
“I got to play with Taylor Bell, Warren Randall and now coach Ben Harvey, which was pretty impressive.
“We had a pretty good run; in 2010-2011 we also had back-to-back conference championships.
“It would have been nice to get another championship, but that doesn’t happen for everyone, we were lucky to get there.”
Hogan said he couldn’t describe the feeling of playing front of a packed home crowd at the Bendigo Stadium.
“One off finals games in Bendigo, in front of your home crowd, there is always a special atmosphere,” he said.
“The build up through the media and being a country town the hype that goes around those sorts of games is always pretty special.
“It is nice to play in-front of that many people and your family.”
As part of his role as captain with the Braves, Hogan enjoys imparting his wisdom onto the next generation.
Hogan, who is also a coach with Bendigo South East College's Athlete Development Program, said he likes mentoring and teaching some of the sport’s rising stars.
“We have some really good kids coming through,” he said.
“Jordan Mangan(Braves rookie) is probably one of them, hopefully he can learn something from me.
“Hopefully I can add something to them and that some of these kids are playing in that singlet and maybe even beyond that.”
Bendigo Braves coach Ben Harvey described Hogan as an inspiring leader.
"Every game is important, but this is a game we hope we win for him," he said.
"He is a true leader of the club and has worked tirelessly for the Braves.
"To break the games record is an outstanding milestone and I wish him all the best for the game.
"He is the type of person where if we win that would make him happy."
Hogan said Mt Gambier, would be a tough opponent on Saturday night, but the Braves would be more than up to the challenge.
"They are a sensational team and have been for a long time now," he said.
"Their starting five is the best in the competition.
"Having guys with NBA experience plus two Americans, they will be tough.
"They all play their roles within the team, so it should be a pretty entertaining game."
The Bendigo Braves will host Mt Gambier at the Bendigo Stadium on Saturday.
Tip-off is at 8pm.