"When I first got into reffing I wanted to referee premier rugby, I played senior rugby in the sense of Cs and Bs but never played that top level. So my first goal was to ref premier rugby, and then I achieved that.
"Once you have done it for five years or so you think 'I could get my 100 games'," Topps explained.
While picking one single game out of 100 as a favourite was a bit too difficult, he said it was the club rivalries that he enjoyed the most.
Refereeing encounters between Kamo and Mid Northern, also Hora Hora and the Western Sharks, were his favourite - remembering fondly the way Justin Collins and David Howell would be fierce rivals on those days, yet supportive teammates for Northland.
"There are always those one or two games a year, and I suppose it comes back to the clubs. They've always been competitive and I suppose those are the ones that challenge you.
"There's always so much tradition in those games too, there's always something behind them like with Kamo and Mid Northern it was 'Gus' Collins and Dave Howell going at each other."
After initially needing a little bit of a push to pick up a whistle, Topps has not looked back.
As a panel-one referee, which means he is as highly qualified as you can be in Northland, his centenary isn't something everyone achieves.
Topps remembers in his first few years he would have refereed only between three to five before gradually gaining more experience to now referee around 15 or so premier games a season.
As many would expect, refereeing 100 club rugby games in Northland is quite a commitment - especially considering the unique geographical spread compared to other areas.
Topps said he would not have lasted as long as he had if it was not for his wife and family, who had consistently understood and supported his efforts in the sport.
"My lovely wife and family in the sense they've put up with it, it takes up time. My oldest boy is 14 and he's only ever known me to ref rugby. Saturdays you take off at lunch and you're off until 7pm if you're reffing a premier game and travelling to somewhere like Wellsford."
He added thanks to those who got him into refereeing and have given their time to critique his performance on the field.
So what happens to a referee who has achieved such a feat? Topps says he is likely to keep refereeing but not at a premier level, instead preferring to give younger referees the opportunity to achieve what he has. "My wife would love me to stop," he laughed. "I'll probably take a step back, there are a lot of other panel-one guys who would like an opportunity.
"Taking the level down probably isn't a bad idea because it is where these younger refs are copping a bit more abuse, it'll probably be good to have someone more experienced there to keep it all in order and have a bit more confidence to do so.
"I know I really appreciate the opportunity to referee premier games, and the [Northland] rugby union for giving me the opportunity to do my 100 games."
Topps' foot injury means he won't referee any more premier games this season, instead he will run sideline or look after lower-grade games.
