Gary Rohan’s journey to 100 AFL games hasn’t been a walk in the park

GARY Rohan will cross off a major AFL milestone on Saturday night after enduring an incredibly time throughout his career.

Gary Rohan celebrates kicking a goal.

GARY Rohan’s journey to 100-games in the AFL has been filed with incredible highs and heartbreaking lows.

The Sydney Swans speedster has endured a horror run throughout his career, both on and off the field.

After making his debut in round 7 of 2010, Rohan frequently thought he’d never reach the three figure milestone.

Injuries took their toll early on in his career as he was limited to only 27 games during his first four seasons in the league.

None had a bigger impact than a sickening incident during a round 4 encounter against North Melbourne in 2012.

As Rohan went after a loose-ball inside the Swans forward 50, North player Lindsay Thomas slid into the contest and unfortunately the impact of the slide sent Thomas’ left boot into Rohan’s right leg and broke it.

The injury cost him a chance to play in Sydney’s 2012 premiership side and forced him out of the game for 16-months.

“It’s been a very long road, one that means a lot what I’ve been through, to get to 100 games,” said Rohan.

“A heap of times I’ve probably thought to myself that it probably wouldn’t have happened injury-wise, especially when I broke my leg.

“It definitely shattered my confidence, but it feels much better dealing with all these downs, eventually it’s turned around and I’ve got a win and playing 100 games.”

Teammates mob Rohan after nailing a goal in his return.

While the injuries have taken their toll, Rohan endured an even tougher moment with his wife Amie last month.

The Rohan’s welcomed twins Bella Rae and Willow Nevaeh, their first kids, into the world but sadly five hours later, Willow passed away.

Posting an image of the newborn’s onto his Instagram account, Rohan labelled it “one off the hardest days Amie and I have ever had to deal with”.

The couple were told eleven weeks into pregnancy that one of their daughters had anencephaly, a fatal neural tube defect with no cure. They spent about five hours with Willow before she died.

“It was a very memorable time that I will never forget,” Rohan said.

Rohan said surviving daughter Bella, was now finally home.

“It’s been a tough rollercoaster, but we had two beautiful girls, but lucky we have one to bring home,” Rohan said.

He described as amazing the support he and his wife Amie had received from their families, and the Swans and AFL community.

When Rohan returned to the Swans line-up in Round 5, the crowd let out an incredibly loud roar after he kicked a goal against the Adelaide Crows.

He’ll achieve the milestone in front of his home crowd at the SCG on Saturday night when the Swans take on North Melbourne.

Expect the crowd to get thoroughly behind him and let out a thunderous roar if Rohan can kick a goal or two.

— with AAP