In a brilliant career spanning more than a decade, it’s hard to pinpoint one moment that defines Crows defender Ben Rutten.

But Rutten’s performance in last year’s finals series was a reflection – and also a reminder – of his standing as one of the best key defenders of the modern era.

As part of the evolution of Adelaide’s playing group, Rutten relinquished his role as the Club’s No.1 tall defender in 2012, allowing emerging full-back and eventual NAB Rising Star winner Daniel Talia to blossom.

When Talia was struck down with a broken arm in the Qualifying Final loss to Sydney, concerns were raised over whether Rutten still had what it took to stand the best forwards in the competition. The 29-year-old wasn’t getting any younger and the forwards and the game itself were only getting quicker.

People needn’t have worried.

In the next fortnight, the big-bodied backman affectionately known as ‘Truck’ claimed the scalp of Fremantle captain and six-time All Australian Matthew Pavlich and broke even with unstoppable Hawks star Lance Franklin to help bring Adelaide within five points of a Grand Final.

“Throughout his career, Truck’s rarely been beaten,” says coach Brenton Sanderson.

“He’s been a consistent and valuable member of this team for a decade and in my short time here, he’s someone I’ve always been able to rely on.

“He takes one of the opposition’s tall forwards out of the game every week and that was never more evident than in the finals last year. Talia went down and Truck stood up.”

Rutten has never been blessed with great athleticism or speed, but his strength, smarts and body positioning have made him a formidable opponent.

The veteran says the key is understanding your limitations.

“I just know what I’m capable of doing,” he says.

“There are some things (like speed) you can’t do much about, so you look for ways around it. You try and focus on your strengths and how you can use those to beat your opponent.”

Rutten, who shed 2kg over the pre-season to help improve his speed and agility in line with the increased demands of the game, has continued his good form in 2013.

According to Champion Data statistics, he’s only conceded three goals to direct opponents this season – one was to Carlton midfielder Brock McLean last weekend, as he left his man to help a teammate.

This selfless attitude is why Rutten – regarded by his peers as the ‘ultimate team man’ – is one of the most admired players at West Lakes.

Although the (2005) All Australian defender stepped down from an official leadership role this season, he still has a strong presence at the Club.

An aspiring coach, who has completed his Level Two Coaching Certificate and is doing further studies, he is a mentor to Adelaide’s younger players.

“The boys really love Truck,” Sanderson said.

“He’s one of those players who is really good with the younger guys, they all idolise him and in particular the guys down back, like Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith and Matt Jaensch.”

Jaensch credits Rutten with helping him to forge an AFL career.

“Truck has been massive for me,” he said.

“He gives you confidence when you play alongside him.

“Truck’s a big unit and you certainly walk a lot taller with him beside you.”

A reserved and placid character away from the field, Rutten’s persona changes on game day.

“He has a bit of white line fever,” Sanderson says.

“About 50 minutes before the game starts, the real big deep voice comes out. He starts barking instructions and cranking the group up.

“He’s pretty quiet off the field, but he’s one of the loudest on it.”

Rutten could line up against ‘Buddy’ again in his 200^th game at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

And if he does he’ll thrive on the challenge, just as he has done in past encounters with some of the greats of the game, including Warren Tredrea, Jonathan Brown and Barry Hall, who he rates as a few of his toughest opponents.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing on the best forwards,” he says.

“I really get myself up for those match-ups and take a lot of pride in my performance against them.”

Overlooked in two National Drafts, Rutten first stepped foot at West Lakes in November, 2011, after being invited to train with Adelaide in the lead up to the Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts.

The South Australian Under-18 captain, who was on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, was one of nine young footballers hoping to get an opportunity at the Club. And he had some tough competition; also in that ‘train-on’ group were Nathan Bock, Marty Mattner, Trent Hentschel, Mark Jamar, Paul Thomas and Justin Crow.

Hentschel was selected by the Crows in the Pre-Season Draft, while Rutten, Bock, Mattner and Thomas were all offered rookie contracts. Jamar was rookie-listed by Melbourne and Crow was picked up by Collingwood.

The remarkably talented group has gone on to play in excess of 600 AFL games. Rutten, Bock and Jamar are All Australians, Mattner is a premiership player and Hentschel could’ve been anything if not for a horrific knee injury.

On Saturday, Rutten will join the likes of Mattner, former teammates Michael Doughty and Nathan Bassett, West Coast premiership player Dean Cox, Western Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd and revered Swans figure Brett Kirk in reaching the 200-game milestone from the rookie list.

“There were times back on the rookie list where 200 games seemed a long way away,” Rutten says.

“It’s a pretty good achievement. Growing up in Adelaide and being be part of such a great footy club has been a real privilege.”

Out of contract at season’s end, Rutten isn’t making any bold predictions about his future, but he’s still hungry to achieve the ultimate with the Crows.

“We got pretty close to a Grand Final last year and that’s what’s driving me. I’ve played in three losing preliminary finals and I’m really keen to achieve that team success,” he says.

“The prelims in 2005 and 2006 were fairly early in my career. You just expect the team to keep improving and that you’ll keep playing in them, but it doesn’t always happen. You can’t afford to waste opportunities when you play in finals.

“At the moment, I’m really enjoying playing and the preparation that goes into each week. I don’t think about beyond this year too much. We’ll play it by ear and see how it goes.”