Ash McGrath will probably be forever remembered among Brisbane Lions fans for his 200-game game heroics against Geelong in last year’s famous ‘Miracle on Grass’ at the Gabba.

But as remarkable as that moment was, McGrath should be recognised for much more than just one match-winning kick after the siren.

He might not boast the same high profile as some of his former premiership teammates, but there’s no denying the South Fremantle recruit made a considerable impact on the Club over a long period of time.

14 years and 214 games in the AFL system is quite an achievement whichever way you look at it – but McGrath himself admits there were times when he almost left the Club.

“There was a time there, maybe a couple of years ago, where I was pretty sure I was going to leave the club and try and better my career somewhere else,” McGrath said back in 2010.

“I thought, sitting down with my partner, I would stick it out for one more year and I am glad I did because my footy has really turned around and I have really enjoyed playing with this team.”

He revealed in one of his Ooh Aah web columns only last year that he was close to leaving the Lions in 2006, but was glad that he stayed.

McGrath now finishes his career as a proud one-Club player and Lions Life Member.

His 214th game will rank him equal 21st for the most games played by any player throughout the Club’s combined history (Fitzroy and Bears included), while his 169 goals rank him inside the Club’s top 40 goal-kickers of all-time.

McGrath is just three goals shy of taking a share of Hall of Famer Chris Johnson’s record for most goals by an Indigenous player at the Club – after already overtaking Darryl White (165 goals) earlier this season.

But with one final game still to play, McGrath could earn himself another slice of history.

His impressive resume already includes being part of the Lions’ 2003 premiership triumph and representing both Australia at the International Rules Series, and the Indigenous All-Stars.

In terms of memorable moments, McGrath has been involved in more than his fair share.

Aside from that ‘Miracle on Grass’, who could forget his 90m bomb against Sydney in the 2003 Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium which trickled over the goal line and helped guide his team to a third successive Grand Final.

Or his breakthrough six-goal haul against the Western Bulldogs in Round 22 of 2003, which earned him an AFL Rising Star nomination.

Or his six second-half goals in the first ever QClash against the Gold Coast Suns. Had the Lions gotten over the line that day, he would have almost certainly added Marcus Ashcroft Medal to his trophy cabinet.

Or his near match-winning six-goal haul against Geelong in Round 23 last year at Skilled Stadium, that almost single-handedly gave the Lions an unlikely place in September.

It wasn’t all about the goals, however, with McGrath spending almost as much time down back as he did as a forward.

In fact, his best ever finish in the Merrett-Murray Medal (6th) came after he was used as an attacking half-back.

It’s quite a journey from a man who once said he would have been happy to play ONE senior AFL game.