Top Swan's time in footy almost upRETIRING Sydney forward Michael O'Loughlin will end his football career without the AFL trophy that means as much to him as the premiership one. The Swans on Saturday lost the rights to the Marn Grook Trophy when they were defeated by Essendon at the SCG by 35 points, 15.17 (107) to 10.12 (72).
Sydney were holders of the annual trophy that bears the name of the Aboriginal football game likely to have inspired modern football's founding fathers, notably Tom Wills. The Marn Grook Trophy is played for once each season between Sydney and Esssendon. The Swans had defeated the Bombers in last year's match but succumbed to the speed and precision of the new-look Essendon outfit on Saturday.
O'Loughlin (pictured), who retires at the end of the season, said he is having to keep his emotions in check as enters the final rounds of his career.
"I think every game now that I'm playing is a bit teary, a bit emotional, because I know I will never play at a certain ground or against a particular team again," he said. "The Indigenous players in that (Essendon) side are fantastic: Alwyn Davey, (Nathan) Lovett-Murray ... (Andrew) Lovett's playing amazing, (Paddy) Ryder's been inspirational for them in the ruck, Courtenay Dempsey has been playing really well off the back flank. There are a number of them that are playing fantastic footy.
"When I first heard about the (Marn Grook Trophy) match I thought it was fantastic. (Team-mate Adam Goodes) 'Goodesy' and I were really pleased with the way it was heading. We've only heard positive feedback so it can only help. With AFL (football) being one of Australia's biggest sports, a lot of Indigenous people play it, you can go anywhere in Australia and Indigenous people love the game."
O'Loughlin said he would also like to see more Indigenous players at the Swans. Only he and Goodes have been the only ones in recent years.
"I would love to see more Indigenous kids come here and it's only a matter of time before I think that happens," he said. "It's just one of things, you need to get the right player at the right time and hopefully maybe, some day, we'll have some more Indigenous players here. At one stage we had about five or six of us here but some have retired and finished footy. Goodesy and I are still around for the time being."
O'Loughlin revealed a little bias in naming his favourite player.
"My favourite Indigenous player would have to be Goodesy," he said. "When a guy wins a Brownlow, let alone two (2003, 2006), it's very special. So to be here with him to celebrate those and to see the player he's become, is just outstanding. He's one of the best and will go down as one of the best but he's still got a few more years to go. I'll be retired by the end of the year and I'll be watching on with interest. We're very good mates so I'll be poking my head in the club rooms and seeing how the Swannies are going that's for sure.
"This has been 15 years so it has been a long journey and to play with some of the players and play against some of the great players has been awesome. I can look back with fond memories."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Monday, July 13, 2009
Last Modified on 13/07/2009 20:43