It was nearly three decades ago when an uppity, not so little, nine-year-old told Wests great Klaus Reh his seemingly unbeatable mark of 221 first grade games for the Devils was in his sights.

All these years later it's proven to be anything but an idle threat with Greg 'Buster' Reh to surpass his father as the club's greatest first grade servant on Saturday against Thirroul at Parrish Park, the only home ground he's ever known since first donning the red and blue as a seven-year-old.

"Greg started in under 7s with Wests and when he was about nine years old he said 'I'm going to beat your record'," Klaus recalled.

"He's been a far better player than I ever was.

"Front row's probably the hardest position you can play, so to be there for so long's a tremendous achievement."

Greg says it will be a proud moment when he betters his dad's mark.

"It's going to be a highlight and a very enjoyable moment but also a bit of a sad one to actually pass him because I know everyone in the club holds him in such high esteem," Greg said. "Speak to anyone from the past, they all say how good dad was as a footballer, and to be mentioned alongside him when I'm finished will be nice."

With 221 top grade games, three premierships, five Country Championships with Illawarra and a Country jumper, Reh boasts one of the most impressive resumes in country footy.

But it's the red and blue he's worn with the most pride.

"The club means everything to me," Reh said.

"I was a tackling bag when I was three, I was watching dad when I was two, so I've been there forever and a day.

"I always wore the red and blue jumper, I wasn't really fussed on going anywhere else.

"I love the Devils, I loved them when I was six in the stands there watching dad play so the emotional ties there make it pretty hard to leave.

"I love Parrish Park and I always will ... I want to get buried there."

Reh was part of the Devils' run of three straight premierships from 2009 to 2011 but said another in 2015 would not necessarily be his swansong.

"I don't take it year to year any more, I'm game to game," Reh joked.

"But my kids just love it too much on the hill.

"The girls just love going to Parrish Park and they love all the time on the hill with my wife, so I don't think I'll be giving it away any time soon ... touch wood."

As a father of four daughters, there's no immediate family nipping at his heels but, with Reh's name synonymous with the Devils, he has several nephews in the hunt.

"I hope one of them takes it on and beats me," Reh said. "I'll be there to hand it over, no problem."