Luke Powell clocks up 200 games for Eagles Eagles veteran Luke Powell tackles Norwood's Mitchell Grigg. LUKE Powell expected to stay at Woodville-West Torrens for no more than two years after arriving from Victoria in 2003. He had spent the two previous seasons playing alongside Gary Ablett, Cameron Ling, Steve Johnson and Corey Enright with Geelong's VFL team. He hoped joining the Eagles would help him follow those future stars to the AFL. Things did not turn out the way Powell had planned, but he wouldn't change it either. The hard-nosed midfielder fell in love with the Eagles and an opportunity to play at the elite level never eventuated. Powell, 31, played his 200th game for the Eagles in their loss to Central District at Elizabeth last Saturday. "It's a fantastic honour and something I thought I'd never get to," Powell says. My intention was to come over for two years and hopefully get the opportunity to play at a higher level. I enjoyed the Adelaide lifestyle and pretty much just fell in love with the footy club. From then on it was a matter of staying as long as I could. I've been lucky enough that my body has held up. I've been able to play with some great mates and the games have been ticking by. Powell has captained the club, won a best and fairest and played state football during his 10 years at the Eagles. Yet he does not hesitate when asked what he considers career highlights so far. "The two premierships - in 2006 and 2011," he says. It's what everyone plays for. The first one was after being beaten four previous times (in grand finals) by Central so it was a terrific feeling for everyone at the club. Then in 2011 it was a completely different group ... and we went into the grand final as underdogs. Powell will weigh up his future with family and Eagles coach Michael Godden at the end of the season. He has not ruled out playing on next year. "I owe a lot to the Eagles," he says. This footy club has made me a better person and I'll walk out with some amazing lifelong friends.