Sydney great Michael O’Loughlin praises Adelaide ahead of potential Crows v Swans preliminary final

SYDNEY great Michael O’Loughlin has labelled Adelaide an excitement machine ahead of a potential preliminary final clash between his former club and the Crows.

Sydney great Michael O’Loughlin with fellow SA Football Hall of Fame inductees Damian Squire, Stuart Palmer and John Condon at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Matt Turner.

SYDNEY great Michael O’Loughlin has labelled Adelaide an excitement machine ahead of a potential preliminary final clash between his former club and the Crows.

The Swans meet Geelong in a do-or-die semi-final at the MCG on Friday night knowing the winner will book an Adelaide Oval date to battle it out for a grand final berth.

While nailing his colours firmly to the Sydney mast, O’Loughlin said Don Pyke’s free-scoring side had caught his eye with its dash and flair this season.

“There’s no one more red and white than me, I’m obsessed with the Swans and wouldn’t be here without them,” O’Loughlin, 40, said.

“But the Crows are one of the most exciting teams I’ve seen. I love watching them play.

“They’re definitely one of the teams to beat, but there’s still two or three in the mix.”

O’Loughlin returned home on Tuesday night to be inducted into the SA Football Hall of Fame at Adelaide Oval.

The 2005 premiership star, who never played at the redeveloped venue, was in the stands last month for Sydney’s dramatic three-point triumph over Adelaide.

He predicted a similarly tense contest should the sides meet again next weekend.

“That was an unbelievable game,” O’Loughlin said of the round 22 match.

“Both teams were really throwing everything at each other and again it’ll be about whoever can produce the goods on the day.

“It’s the best place for watching footy here at Adelaide Oval.

“You rewind and think ‘gee I’d love the opportunity to be able to run out here’.”

The mercurial forward booted 521 goals in 303 games over 15 seasons at Sydney, earning All-Australian honours twice.

O’Loughlin said the winning mentality instilled at the Swans helped it recover from losing its opening six games of the year to emerge as a flag contender.

“I’m so humbled by the club and their culture and what they’re all about.

“I think that stands you in good stead and helps you in big games – everyone is rowing the boat the same way.

“They’ve had an amazing couple of coaches and John Longmire is no exception.

“We go out there on Friday to play for keeps and that’s how we’ve always done things at Sydney.”

O’Loughlin grew up playing for local club Salisbury North while dreaming of following his idol and 1989 Magarey Medallist Gilbert McAdam to Central District.

He made it as far as the under-17 ranks at the Bulldogs, before being selected at pick No.40 by Sydney in the 2004 National Draft.

But his AFL destination was not initially to this liking.

“I was a Carlton boy because Stephen Kernahan was one my favourite players,” said O’Loughlin, who has remained in Sydney since his retirement in 2009.

“I also had it in my head that Carlton was the place for all the South Australians like Mark Naley, Craig Bradley and Peter Motley.

“They (Carlton) came to my house in Salisbury North and said ‘we’re interested’.

“I was doing cartwheels, it was unimaginable. When my name got read out (by Sydney) I wasn’t really too happy.

“But it actually turned out absolutely brilliantly.”

One of six children raised by his mother, Muriel, O’Loughlin said the bright lights of Sydney were a world away from his upbringing in a “tough neighbourhood” in Adelaide’s north.

He said senior figures at the Swans such as football operations manager Rob Snowden, late recruiter Laurie Dwyer, coach Ron Barassi and captain Paul Kelly helped him settle.

O’Loughlin also credited fellow Croweater and 1994 draftee Matthew Nicks for encouraging him to stick it out.

“Matthew is basically my big brother,” said O’Loughlin, who debuted against the Crows in 1995.

“Without his guidance and really just putting an arm around me, I would have been back here playing for Salisbury North.

“I’m very lucky – right time, right place.

“But once you get that opportunity it’s what you do with it.

“If you want to be successful, you’ve got to roll the sleeves up and that’s what I learnt at Salisbury North, a little bit at Central, and at Sydney.”