Barber started with the Roos as a junior and hasn't worn anything other than the green and gold.

The stalwart has tasted success, lived through hard times on the field and watched on, hamstrung, as his mates copped heavy losses.

Even with all that behind him, Barber said the milestone still snuck up on him.

"I only realised when I saw all the games at the start of the year. I wasn't really keeping count to tell you the truth. It makes me feel old, I suppose," he said.

"I've never played anywhere else. It's a great bunch of blokes, and I've really enjoyed playing there all my life. I wouldn't go anywhere else."

Injuries have plagued Barber in recent years, limiting his time spent with the reserves side.

"In 2015, I didn't play with an ankle injury. In 2016 I had broken bones in my foot, so I only played half that year. I only played half a season in 2017 too because of broken toes," he said.

"I played the full season last year but broke my fingers towards the end. I had two surgeries, but I still couldn't get it quite right. It's still not that great at the moment."

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Barber's most recent injury threatened to curtail his 2019 season.

"I wasn't going to play at all this season, but I started having a run, and I just missed it too much," he said.

"They (reserves side) weren't travelling too well and were just a bit short on numbers, so I couldn't really stand back and watch them cop a flogging each week. I thought I'd come back and help them out."

One of Barber's favourite memories - apart from taking a 'hanger' on his captain, Jackson O'Neill - was winning the reserves premiership in 2014.

"It was one of the highlights of my football career. It was fantastic because it's the only grand final I've ever made and we won it. I couldn't ask for anything better actually," he said.

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The Roos' premiership was succeeded by a few years of hardship.

"We only won a couple of games in those two years after the flag; we just lost so many players," Barber said. "A lot of players felt they achieved something and went elsewhere."

"A lot of mates started having kids and started their own businesses, which makes it pretty hard."

Dimboola's seniors and reserves side are already having their best seasons since 2015, with three wins apiece.

"The new recruits, coaching staff and committee have all done an amazing job," Barber said. "Everyone's buzzing about the future."

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