Michael O’Loughlin of the Swans congratulates team mate Barry Hall after scoring a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Carlton Blues at the Sydney Cricket Ground on September 3, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Slattery Images
This weekend, Michael O’Loughlin finally becomes the first Swan to play 300 games of VFL/AFL. It’s a fantastic accomplishment for the man they call Magic, and for a while it looked as though he wouldn’t make it.
But he soldiered on and it will be an emotional moment on Sunday when he is carried off the ground.
Nobody is irreplaceable.
In recent times, Tony Lockett, Paul Kelly, Andrew Dunkley and Daryn Cresswell all left and the club not only survived but flourished.
Still, it will be sad to see O’Loughlin hang up the boots and unusual to look up and not see the Number 19 out there or to be worn by someone else.
O’Louglin holds the AFL record for the most games played wearing Number 19.
It’s not just the Swans faithful who adored O’Loughlin. He is a player who is well-liked and admired in the competition, even by opposition players and supporters.
It’s hard to articulate the ways he will be missed, the Swans will just feel it. Like the next time the Swans are making a late rally at the SCG – it won’t be O’Loughlin doing that something special to ignite things or kicking the go-ahead goal that brings the house down.
O’Loughlin went at 40 in the 1994 Draft and the Swans had four picks before they selected him.
It’s hard to imagine now but the Swans drafted Stuart Mangin before O’Loughlin. Magin played a total of three games.
O’Loughlin made his debut way in Round 5, 1995.
It was against Adelaide at the SCG and the Swans were trailing by 17 points heading into the last change. The Swans had kicked nine goals up until that point, but exploded with 11 majors in the last quarter and only restricted the Crows to a solitary point to comfortably win.
O’Loughlin kicked three goals that day and it was the start of a beautiful relationship between him and the Swans.
He has played in eighteen Finals matches, three Grand Finals, and one premiership winning side. He will leave the club with a number of records, but it is unlikely that Adam Goodes will leave him with many of them.
As a foil up forward with amazing overhead-strength, combined with agility on the ground, he was invaluable providing match-up headaches for opposition coaches and backmen.
Without any doubt, you can put your hard-earned on the Swans this Sunday. Tanking or not, there is no way the Swans will be losing as they give their all for the club’s most loyal servant.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I will say that Richard Hinds article linked was a good read.
Dave
Guest
AndyRoo I think maybe if we judge peole we dont know only on their football ability we might be alright but then Alan wrote about how he is a shining light off the field.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Dave But there ususally not AFL people having a dig, it's normally the daily telegraph that are blowing up the most. Sure a few guys related to the AFL have a crack but the worst offender media wise was Rebecca Wilson. So I guess it's slightly on topic but I think the shots about player behavior belong in the code wars thread and a thread about someone who has played 300 games shouldn't be full of mud.
Dave
Guest
that matt johns got crucified, while Michael o'louglin didn’t That AFL is better at keeping it out of the news see Richard Hindle article “You too can set free your inner Barassi” http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/richard-hinds/2009/07/31/1248977193529.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 and the reporting of rugby league where it become about drinking red bull or what time someone’s has had a kebab has gone too far and I’ve had enough and I’m all for a scandal free page back page in the daily telegraph
David Wiseman
Roar Guru
The exact same thing happened on BigFooty. A thread was created to congratulate him and the same sort of ridiculous comments sprung up. If that's how you get your kicks - good luck to you.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
So what about 4 corners. Matty Johns is still popular, if Ahn Do wasn't so funny we would be calling for him to make a comeback. Let the AFL fans enjoy their moment and save this thread in case they pop in with a cheap shot when Matty John comes back next year.
Redb
Roar Guru
what point is that?
Dave
Guest
Redb I think theyve got a point on this one. He was on 4 corners the same as Matty Johns
Redb
Roar Guru
At least the AFL isn't owned by a media organisation that declares this: Our Pledge: Scandal Free Zone "http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/daily-telegraph-back-page-declared-a-scandal-free-zone-until-end-of-nrl-season/story-e6frexnr-1225758796972 "No more of the Brett Stewart sexual assault charges, the Tony Zappia sacking, Greg Bird glassing his girlfriend and Roosters on assault charges. We’re over it. And now here is our challenge to rugby league, its clubs and its players. Keep yourselves out of the news for the wrong reasons and we’ll put you on these pages for all the right reasons" How many deals have been done by sporting clubs all over the globe to cover up player incidents. Redb
John Ryan
Roar Pro
No the AFL lovers just dont like to be reminded of it,like most AFL problems its just swept under the carpet
Redb
Roar Guru
It's cheap becuase we dont know all the circumstances. it's cheap because it seems to be just a shot across the AFL bow just to score a point as RL folk feel every incident of theirs is blown out of proportion so let's do the same here. Hypocrisy. it's cheap because this may well have been the biggest mistake of his life yet he has contributed positively to society in many ways that this one bad mistake should not be allowed to over shadow it. It's cheap because the people around him at the Swans obviously hold him in high regard and have a better idea than you or I about the real Michael O'Loughlin. Redb
Redb
Roar Guru
Are you David Gallop?
Brian
Guest
Are you Andrew Demetriou?
Brian
Guest
Why is it cheap? Did it happen or not? Anyone who pays hush money is not a shining light in my book.
Redb
Roar Guru
move on.
Matt S
Guest
Wasn't O'Loughlin part of a group of 3 AFL players who paid a woman $200,000 after claims of sexual assault in an Adelaide Park a few years back? Why isn't this ever mentioned if he was such a top bloke?
Redb
Roar Guru
cheap comment.
Brian
Guest
Off the field!!! If this bloke is a shining light after what hes been involved in then there is no hope for any of us.
Robbos
Guest
Funny how Barry Hall has a bigger profile in Sydney than Michael O'Loughlin, but all for the wrong reasons.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
What a champion Michael has been and i am very happy that he actually won a premiership in 2005. Both on and off the field, he has been a shining light, for not just the AFL, but for sport in Australia. Out of the four major football codes, O'Loughlin is one of the players i really respect the most. Pity he will not be playing in another finals campaign for the Swans. I wish him all the best.