By Rohan Connolly and Ronny Lerner
Sydney (1995-2009)
The clever forward was the first Sydney Swan to reach 300 games and only the third player of indigenous heritage in football history to do so.
Michael O'Loughlin celebrates a goal in his last game in 2009.Credit: Anthony Johnson
A tallish flanker, his strength overhead and agility made him a difficult match-up. Twice an All-Australian, he'd win Sydney's best and fairest in 1998 and was the Swans' leading goalkicker two years running in 2000-01.
A member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, O'Loughlin was part of Sydney's 1996 grand final team at 19, and nearly a decade later in 2005, part of the Swans' drought-breaking 2005 premiership, finally retiring in 2009 at the age of 32.
O'Loughlin told guests at Crown Palladium on Thursday night that football had changed his life and he didn't know where he would be without it.
"The way it's changed my life and my family's life, that's probably the biggest thing," the former Swan said.
"I'd do anything for my family and being up here is a really special moment – not just for me but for them, for the sacrifices they've made.
"Playing in a premiership sits alongside that.
"I've been able to look after my family and my community and I'm really proud to say that if it wasn't for AFL football, I'm not too sure where I would be."
O'Loughlin was humbled by his induction into the Australian Football Hall Of Fame and credited former coach Paul Roos with a lot of his success.
"Sitting next to these champions of our game, the best game in the world, means a hell of a lot," he said.
"If it wasn't for Paul Roos I probably would've ended my career pretty early.
"Without his endorsement and his guidance and what he did for me, I probably would have really struggled to play, or get anywhere near, 300 games so I owe a lot to Paul Roos."