19 Facts About Michael O'Loughlin

Michael Kevin O'Loughlin was born on 20 February 1977 and is a former professional Australian rules footballer, who played his entire Australian Football League career with the Sydney Swans.

Michael O'Loughlin was the third player with Indigenous heritage to play 300 AFL games.

Michael O'Loughlin twice achieved All-Australian selection, played for Australia twice in the International Rules Series, and was a Fos Williams Medallist as best player for South Australia in State of Origin.

Michael O'Loughlin was the first Sydney Swans player to play more than 300 career games.

Michael O'Loughlin's ancestors were Czech Jews, Aboriginal Australian, Irish and English.

Michael O'Loughlin grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, and first played junior football with Central District in the SANFL.

Michael O'Loughlin played the majority of his early football in a half-forward flanker role, where his combination of speed, strength and agility made him a difficult player for opposing teams to match up against.

Michael O'Loughlin was known by the nickname "Magic" throughout his career, in recognition of his capacity to play football so skillfully that it could sometimes seem he had "cast a spell" on his opponents.

Michael O'Loughlin was club best and fairest in 1998 and runner-up in 2000.

Michael O'Loughlin was selected in the All Australian Team in 1997 and 2000.

Michael O'Loughlin described this honour as the highlight of his career, alongside the 2005 premiership.

In 2006, Michael O'Loughlin continued to be a key part of the Swans' line-up, including playing a decisive role in the qualifying and preliminary finals that put the Swans into the grand final for the second consecutive year.

Michael O'Loughlin continued to play consistently well for Sydney through the balance of his career.

On 23 June 2009, Michael O'Loughlin announced that at the end of the 2009 season, he would retire.

Michael O'Loughlin played his 300th game in round 19 at the MCG against the Richmond Tigers.

Michael O'Loughlin was awarded the 2009 AFL Players' Association Madden for his on and off-field contributions to the game.

In 2010 Michael O'Loughlin coached the Flying Boomerangs Indigenous side during their Cape Town tour, leading the side to victory against the South Africa National Australian Rules Football Team.

Michael O'Loughlin was later named coach of the World 18 for the AFL National Under 16 Championships.

Michael O'Loughlin represented South Australia against Victoria in the State of Origin Slowdown charity match at the Adelaide Oval on 3 October 2011.