RETIRING Sydney Swans forward Michael O’Loughlin says the club’s culture will prevent it from bottoming out.

The club games record holder is one of six 2005 premiership players to
leave the Swans this year and along with Leo Barry and Jared Crouch,
played his final game against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

The trio leaves the club bereft of more than 760 games of experience,
gathered over 44 seasons – not to mention the contributions of the
departed Barry Hall, Tadhg Kennelly and Nic Fosdike.

The Swans finished 2009 in 12th place with eight wins but O’Loughlin
said their future was in good hands after a strong showing by the
club’s young talent in the second half of the season.

"There are a couple more spots up for grabs with Leo, myself and Crouchy [going]; Barry [Hall] has already gone," he said.

"I’m really confident that under Roosy and then John Longmire, they’ll
blossom. You’ll never see us bottom out, I don’t think. The culture
we’ve built here is too strong for that."

While the Swans failed to deliver the fairytale ending after suffering
an eight-point loss to the Lions, O’Loughlin said the reaction from the
crowd was unforgettable.

The 303-game star spent most of his lap of honour wiping away tears as
the SCG faithful gave the three players a standing ovation.

"I was a wreck, mate," he said of his emotions after the game.

"I’ve spent half my life here [and] I struggle with it now, talking
about it. The crowd was unbelievable. I’ve never experienced anything
like that; never will again, I don’t think.

"It’s been a good partnership since I got here – the crowd, myself and the team. I think we’ve all walked away winners."

Earlier in the night, O’Loughlin opened the scoring with the game’s
first goal and his jubilant celebration set the tone for the Swans’
endeavour.

He admitted to getting a bit carried away but made no apologies for his exuberant style.

"I’m such an emotional player, I get that buzz off the crowd. I’ve
spent half my life here and the crowd has given me such much," he said.


"Playing up forward, you kick a goal and they give you a bit… hopefully in my last game ever, I repaid them a bit."

But more than his goalkicking exploits and more than the roar of the
crowd, O’Loughlin said he would miss his teammates upon leaving the
club rooms for the last time on Saturday night.

"I’m going to miss the locker room banter, where we’re having a bit of a laugh. That’s what I’ll miss the most," he said.

"I’ll miss going into battle with the guys all the time and playing but I’ll certainly miss the camaraderie.

"[I] come in every day, I walk in with a smile and I walk home with a smile. It’s such a special place to be."

WE have a great culture at Sydney, we have young players coming through, all is bright.

yes... Sydney has a look of young players