He called me up and welcomed me to the football club and told me that we were cousins. I asked my mum, ‘Are we cousins with O’Loughlin?’ and she said yes.
I’d known of Mick, having spent many Sundays back home in Horsham watching him run around at the SCG, but for a young indigenous boy, knowing that you had family waiting for you at a football club was just fantastic.
As well as Mick, Robbie Ahmat and Troy Cook were also indigenous players at the Swans. It was an amazing time for me and it just made it a lot easier to make the transition from leaving high school and my mum to coming up to Sydney and making a real go of it.
That was 12 years ago – Mick and I are super close now and I’m very happy to be godfather to his little daughter Taya.
The 2005 grand final was definitely the best moment that we’ve shared on the football field.
Knowing that Michael was part of the ’96 grand final where they lost to the Kangaroos, it was just fantastic to get out there and win one with him.
It was a day where Micky O probably could have kicked four or five – he truly did dominate up forward – but he just didn’t get his kicking boots on.
Even though it didn’t go all his way that day, his attitude out there was so important, as it has been throughout his career.
Mick brings people into the game and really, the support and encouragement he gives to his teammates is priceless. It’s been a tribute to the player he is that it’s not ever been about just him – it’s always been about the team and the players around him.
One thing this football club has always been about is not just making people good footballers, but making sure they leave the football club as a better person.
Mick’s one of those people who not only embraced the football club and its culture, but has really given his all to the football club. I’ve got no doubt that the club has repaid him many times over during his 15 seasons at the Swans.
It was a very sad moment when Mick announced his retirement midway through the season and I’ve cherished every game that I’ve been able to play with him since then, knowing there weren’t too many left.
It’s going to be strange not having Mick around next year. I haven’t really thought about it too much, to be honest. It’s one of those things where you just take every day as it comes and it probably won’t hit home until we start our pre-season.
I know Mick’s going to stay in Sydney so I’ll still be able to see him and his kids, but it’s going to be a very sad time, especially as I’m going to be the only brother up here.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
