Committed. Loyal. Tough. Quiet. Humble. Reliable. Bloody good.

These are just some of the superlatives that describe club legend Max ‘E Dog’ Ellis, who plays his 250th game this weekend.

The triple best and fairest ,and two-time premiership player has done it all, and has been the bedrock of the club’s defence for more than a decade.

He is also the games record holder for the club, at amateur level. 

Despite the big wins on Grand Final day, the now famous number 51, nominates staying up in B Grade against the odds as a highlight.

“The fight when you’re struggling was almost more satisfying,’’ Max told RedRoyMail.

Max graduated from the Juniors, and joined Fitzroy in 2009, spending two years in the under 19s including a flag in 2010. In 2011 he played Reserves and then Seniors. 

He never looked back.

“It was always comforting playing with Max, he was consistently great,’’ former club captain Rory Angiolella says.

“He always gave 100 per cent on the field, hated losing and was always up for the fight.”

“For a quiet introvert he always showed strong leadership qualities though his actions and he was always so dependable.”

Rory says 250 games is a huge achievement and testament to Max’s contribution to the club.

“I loved playing with him because you never had to guess what sort of game he would play. You knew he would scrap for every ball that came near him, tackle hard, punch from behind and run hard when we turned it over. Congrats,’’ Rory said.

Max says there are too many to name, when asked who have been his favourites team mates to play alongside. But he did rattle off fellow defenders Al Green, Darcy Lowrie, Jock Green and Toby Hudson-Bevege.

At 33 there's an evergreen quality to Max. Over the past couple of years he’s declared it will be his last season, only to come back every time.

This year he was planning on playing only Reserves due to off field commitments, but a request from senior coach Trav Ronaldson could not be ignored.

“I just love the club so much, so when Trav asked me, I couldn’t say no.”

“I’m going to stop talking about retirement.”

Two former coaches of the club -- Luke Mahoney and Michael Pickering -- share an admiration for Max's determination and competitiveness as 'ruthless defender'.

“He was a prized defender who you could send to the opposition’s most dangerous forward knowing he would almost certainly negate his influence,’’ Pickers says.

“Max's quiet disposition belied a fierce competitiveness that came out in his one vs one battles that he invariably won. His ability to read an incoming ball meant he either out marked his opponent or found a way to level the contest.

He said one of Max's other major assets was his ball use, whether by hand or foot, inevitably would always land in a team mate’s hands to good effect.

“My only regret (and probably his) is not playing him forward at times, having seen his versatility in recent times and how effective he can be in that part of the ground.

'Mahns' said 'E dog' was given the best forward each week and more often than not they would be taller or heavier, but that didn't stop Max winning the battle most weeks. 

"He would love the challenge of keeping them quiet and always wanted to know the match up ahead of time so that he could prepare himself,'' Mahns says.

"Only the very good players manage to win 3 best and fairests and E dog did that in a team full of some of Fitzroy's best players in the last 15 years. There is no doubt he will be remembered as one of the best players at Fitzroy, and also the competition. 

"He played in the Big V team in 2019 again showing his defensive skills against the best. To achieve 250 games shows his loyalty, passion and durability over the journey."

Humble as ever, Max wouldn’t let the interview end without requesting some thanks to special people.

“The club has been a massive part of my life, and that of my parents. I met my wife here (Lex Madden). It’s just done so much for me,’’ he says. “Thanks to Lex and my parents for helping me keep playing.

“And thanks to Steve and Louise Manitakis, who have sponsored me for years. They’re amazing people, the kind of people that make clubs across the country so great.”