Michael O’Loughlin arrived at the Swans in 1995 and didn’t think he would last too many seasons in the harbour city.
Fast forward to 2007 and he’s managed to notch up 250 games in round three before this weekend’s amazing feat of breaking the Club game record (South Melbourne/Sydney) of 260 games held by John Rantall.
Though O’Loughlin admits he talks so much he could talk under water, we thought we’d let former and current teammates do the talking... about the man and his impending milestone...
Paul Kelly, former Captain
First impression of Mick: He had something special, even as young skinny 17 year-old shy kid from Adelaide, you knew he was something special.
Mick as a teammate to you: Mick always takes a good defender and you know he is going to do something special most weeks as long as he brings his bag of tricks and gives us something to remember.
On achieving this milestone: It is very appropriate that Mick breaks the club record. I know the club means a lot to him, and breaking the record will mean a lot to him, probably more so once he finishes playing. It couldn’t happen to a better bloke.
Adam Goodes, ‘Brother’
First impression of Mick: Funny, friendly and knows how to have a good time.
Mick as your teammate: Talented, reliable and relentless.
On achieving this milestone: Well deserved, couldn’t have gone to a better bloke, and plenty more games to come!
Matthew Nicks, former housemate
First impression of Mick: Young, enthusiastic and disgracefully messy around the house.
Mick as a housemate: As above.
Mick as a teammate: Freak!
On achieving this milestone: It is something he can look back on and feel amazingly proud of, it is a super effort with more to come.
Ryan O’Keefe, fellow forward
First impression of Mick: He was a very likeable and just a great bloke!
Mick as your teammate: He means everything to the team, he is what typifies the team. He is the heart and soul, he is the glue that holds everyone together, he is so friendly, gets along with everyone and down-to-earth.
On achieving this milestone: A great achievement, well deserved, he has given his everything to this club, it is an accolade that is truly deserved.
Adam Schneider, good friend
First impression of Mick: He is a top bloke, he gave young kids like me a bit. Great sense of humour, and someone with a freakish ability, but rest assured we hear about it every day.
Mick as your teammate: He is a bloke I can rely on every week, knowing he will give his everything, wearing his heart on his sleeve. I am proud to play alongside him.
On achieving this milestone: An amazing achievement from a player who thought he would be here only a year, couldn’t happen to a better bloke for all that he brings to the club.
Paul Roos, former teammate and now coach
First impression of Mick: It is always a similar thing when you are a senior player looking at a young player, actually seeing who comes out of the pack. Mick was quiet, but I saw talent.
Mick as your teammate: He was good to play with, the more experience he got the more talent we saw, you love playing with players that are great players, and that was the case with Mick. He was fun too.
Coaching Mick: His ability to transform a game and work with injuries, phenomenal effort to achieve what he has given he is hardly able to train and then plays a key position when he is not key position size. It has been a pleasure to watch him in action.
On achieving this milestone: It is almost as significant a milestone as you could get, it is only 16 players that hold for each club, it is an unbelievable achievement, one that needs to be rewarded with a victory on Sunday.
Heath Grundy, mentored by Mick
First impression of Mick: Friendly, has a chat with anyone, welcoming when you are a new guy at the club and always willing to help you out.
Mick as your teammate: Funny, always manages to make us laugh and just such a good role model.
Mick as a mentor: I reckon I have one of the best mentors going around!
On achieving this milestone: Congratulations Mick, well deserved and it couldn’t happen to a better bloke at the Club.
