Colin O’Riordan’s forgettable Darwin trip made him realise what a ‘special’ club Sydney is

Irishman Colin O’Riordan doesn’t have fond memories of his first visit to Darwin but it was a journey that made him realise how far the Swans will go to look after their players.

“It’s pretty daunting when you see a sign saying the next petrol station is 500km away,” laughs Colin O’Riordan.

“If you don’t fill up, you’re in a bit of trouble.”

This weekend, as the Sydney Swans head south to face Essendon, their reserves are heading to the Top End to face the Northern Territory Thunder in Darwin – the latter fixture one which brings back “desolate” memories for O’Riordan.

The Irishman admits there’ll be a sigh of relief if he’s boarding a plane to Melbourne on Friday, not Darwin.

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In August 2016, he suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs in a second string game against the Thunder.

He was told flying back to Sydney was out of the question for several weeks.

No worries. Swans player welfare manager Dennis Carroll simply flew into Darwin and the duo promptly drove the 4000km back to Sydney.

A four-day trek, from dawn till dusk, through vast tracts of emptiness followed but it convinced O’Riordan that this was indeed a club prepared to go the extra mile for him.

“I remember thinking I just want to get home, so we got in the car and drove,” he said.

“But I think it’s fair to say I didn’t realise the sheer size of Australia. It was an experience but one I wouldn’t want to repeat.

“But you look back and think what the club has done for you. It really made me feel wanted, to be honest.

“The club means everything to me. It’s the most special team in the world.”

Colin O'Riordan kicks his first goal in the AFL against Essendon in May. Picture: Phil Hillyard

So special, that he is eager to extend his stay and for his Swans journey to continue.

Out of contract at the end of the season he replied “you’d be hopeful” when asked about progress over a fresh deal.

O’Riordan has played in the last seven AFL games for the Swans, coinciding with a real upturn in form and talk rapidly changing from “a rebuild” to a shot at the finals.

“It’s nice to put some consistent games together, to get in there and to work to stay there,” he said.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far and hopefully it continues.

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“We’re a pretty young team and while people can talk about (lack of) experience, I think youth brings a lot of energy and excitement. We’re just excited by every game. “We don’t worry about the age of the team, we don’t talk about it, we just get out there and throw ourselves into it. When we were kids we loved running out on to fields and kicking a football. That hasn’t changed for us. We’ll never take it for granted.”

O’Riordan at home in 2016 after his drive back from Darwin with a punctured lung.

But O’Riordan is also swift to acknowledge his Swans mentors.

“I guess ever since I came to the club I’ve looked up to the likes of Nick Smith, Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy,” he said.

“The three of them have been unbelievable for me, offering advice, talking me through situations.”

Next up it’s Essendon on Saturday with O’Riordan, noting how the Bombers charged home to pip the GWS Giants last Thursday.

“Obviously Essendon are playing a good brand of football but we’ll be going out to have a crack,” he said. “It’s never over until the final siren. (Essendon’s last-gasp win is) a good learning curve for everyone in the competition.”