SYDNEY SWANS coach Paul Roos has backed veteran forward Michael O'Loughlin to continue his career next season and become the first Swan in AFL/VFL history to play 300 games.
O'Loughlin is already the club's games record-holder with 272, passing John Rantall (260) in round 14 last season.
Having struggled with knee and hamstring trouble during his career, the 31-year-old enjoyed his first pre-season in years heading into 2008 and is already showing the benefits.
O'Loughlin starred with four goals in last week's thrashing of Port Adelaide at the SCG, taking him past Tony Lockett to No.2 on the club's all-time goal-kicking list with 465, behind only South Melbourne great Bob Pratt's 681.
Having played every game last season, a similar result in 2008 will take O'Loughlin past the 290-game mark and Roos believes he has at least one more year in him, which would comfortably take him past 300 appearances.
The man known as Magic showed his combination with a fit-again Barry Hall - who kicked five against the Power - will continue to strike fear into opposition teams this season and beyond.
"You never know when guys get to a certain age," Roos said when asked if he felt O'Loughlin had plenty of football left in him.
"Not that I think Mick's super old, I'm sure he's looking forward to playing this year and I'm sure he'd be anticipating playing next year.
"I don't think guys look too far forward, (but) Mick's had a really good pre-season and is looking forward to playing well this year."
O'Loughlin finished with 40 goals from 23 games last season in another outstanding campaign.
The two-time All-Australian was able to pick up some of Hall's slack, after the dominant spearhead was restricted to 44 goals due to a series of injuries that required off-season surgery.
Now the two are fully fit and Roos expects them to keep getting better as the season progresses.
"We were confident at the start of the year with both those players," Roos said.
"Mick's had a really good pre-season, the best preparation he's had, and we knew Hally was going to be better than the back-end of last year.
"Last weekend they certainly showed that they are in really good touch.
"They look fit and up and going, so hopefully they can continue contributing to the team this week (against the Brisbane Lions)."
