FROM fly-in, fly-out schoolboy to Sydney Swans life member, midfielder Dan Hannebery says his 150th game for the club has crept up on him quickly.

Hannebery began his career with the Swans while he was still living in Victoria and had to combine his high school studies at Xavier College with a part-time life as an AFL player.

The 25-year-old will reach the milestone against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday in his eighth season, the third quickest Swan to get to the mark from debut behind 2005 premiership midfielder Jared Crouch and recently retired legend Adam Goodes.

Last year's AFL Coaches' Association MVP said splitting his life between Sydney and Melbourne at the beginning of his career was an interesting way to start a career.

"Certainly at the time the club were sensational, it was a unique situation I suppose," Hannebery said on Friday.

"Trying to study until Thursday, coming up here to train and play and then flying back down on Sunday for the school week of four days.

"I had some good friends who were making sure I was pretty grounded going back (to Melbourne).

"I had a lot of help from the club, some mates and some teachers.

"I just passed so I was happy the teachers gave me a bit of a leg-up.

"Certainly at the time your focus is on football, you try and study and do your best in that department but in that eight weeks I must say I didn't have much on my mind apart from trying to play good footy."

Hannebery rejected the lure of a return home to play in Victoria when he re-signed with the Swans until the end of 2021, despite being contracted until the end of this season, and said becoming a life member of the Swans was an honour.

"To see players at the best and fairest getting their 150 games (award), you think it would be amazing to part of that," he said.

"It's certainly a proud moment and a proud week."

Hannebery made his name as a gifted runner and wingman at the Swans but has gradually turned himself into a more all-round player over the past three to four seasons.

Elected into the leadership group earlier this year, Hannebery was named All Australian in 2013 and last season, when he led the League for disposals after the regular season and eventually finished 2015 with 720 possessions at an average of 30 per game.

The 2012 premiership star said working with Swans assistant coaches Stuart Dew and Josh Francou – as well as some highly-credentialed teammates – to move from the wing into the centre, has helped elevate him from an outside ball-magnet to one of the competition's elite midfielders.

"Having that ability to adjust your role helps freshen up your game a little bit and gives you an opportunity to be a bit more versatile, rather than be locked into that one position," Hannebery said.

"That's definitely helped and given me confidence that they see me as a player who can do those roles.

"Obviously working with Josh (Kennedy), Kieren (Jack) and Luke (Parker) on ways I can improve my inside game has really helped also.

"As you get older you try and improve all areas of your game and consistency is one of those.

"I think in the past I would have one or two good games, then one or two poor games.

"To be able to develop that consistency you need to make sure you're as strong in defence as you are in offence, and I think that's an area I was pretty weak at early in my career.

"I've slowly started to get better on that defensive side which helps your all-round game."