The Tigers' progression into last year's finals ended the finals-less streaks of clear leader Chris Newman (232) and also Brett Deledio (194) and Dan Jackson (145). But for that elimination final, in which they suffered a shock loss to Carlton, coach Damien Hardwick made the ruthless call to drop Foley, a player he said is regarded "very highly" by all within the club.

"It was tough. It's always tough from a finals point of view," Hardwick said recently, before the 28-year-old midfielder played his 150th match.

"I don't think he, by his own admission, would think he was in the greatest form. It was just one of those decisions that we had to make."

"The hard thing from a coaching point of view was that he's an outstanding character, and generally those guys you like to have in your side."

Foley admitted it was "tough, really disappointing" to have been dropped for what became Richmond's only final in 2013, and joked his new status as the current record-holder, currently at 153 matches, was "not something [to savour], so hopefully I can rectify that".

If Foley is, as expected, retained for the Tigers' elimination final away to Port Adelaide the record will be shared by Melbourne's Lynden Dunn and James Frawley both on 139 games without having played a final, although the latter could break that next season if rumours of a free-agent move to Geelong are fulfilled.

Three other players could break out of the current top 10 for most matches without a final next weekend.

Former Tiger Matt White, in fourth place with 124, is set to end his streak in his first season with new club Port Adelaide.

North Melbourne's Leigh Adams, in eighth with 104, should also end his streak, provided he can recover from a concussion suffered in the Kangaroos' win over Melbourne on Saturday night.

Richmond's Matt Thomas, in 10th with 100, could end his streak against former club Port, but he has not been chosen for the club's past three matches - the 27-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury - and his chances to press his selection claims are hindered by its VFL team's season being over.

STRIVING FOR SEPTEMBER
Matches without a final - current players.

153 - Nathan Foley (Rich)
139 - Lynden Dunn (Melb), James Frawley (Melb)
124 - Matt White (PA)
123 - Andrew Raines (BL)
115 - Colin Garland (Melb)
108 - Luke McGuane (BL)
104 - Leigh Adams (NM)
101 - Tom Rockliff (BL)
100 - Matt Thomas (Rich)
Source: afltables.com