Sydney Swans midfielder Ryan O’Keefe’s extraordinary finals campaign has earned him the 2012 Paul Roos Player of the Finals honour, which was awarded at last Friday night’s Club Champion Dinner.

The 2012 Norm Smith Medallist, who also claimed third place in the Bob Skilton Medal count, polled 140 of a possible 150 votes in the Swans’ finals games, including a ‘perfect 50’ in the Swans 26-point win over Collingwood in the Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium.

The 31-year-old averaged 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 tackles and eight clearances across the Swans three finals matches, including 37 disposals against Adelaide in the Qualifying Final at AAMI Stadium.

Speaking to SwansTV after receiving his award on Friday night, O’Keefe said he loved playing finals football.

“It’s what you play for to play finals,” O’Keefe said.

“They are the sort of games you get really pumped for, and that’s why I love playing those big games.”

O’Keefe’s finals campaign was also characterised by his ferocity for the ball, which saw him lay a career-best 15 tackles in the Swans Grand Final win over Hawthorn.

The midfielder said he loved the physicality of finals football and enjoyed getting in the midst of the September action this year.

“I love getting amongst it where all the action is and throwing my weight around,” O’Keefe said.

“I love getting my hands to the ball and obviously trying to hurt the opposition with fierce tackling.”

O’Keefe, who joined the Swans over a decade ago in 2000, celebrated his 250-game milestone in round 19 this season against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

In a season which saw O’Keefe average 25 disposals per game, the Swans veteran said he still believes he has plenty more football to come.

“I hope (I’m still improving),” he said.

“I’m always striving to improve and get better and hopefully I’ve got plenty of years left in me and I’m still striving to get better.”

O’Keefe added that this year’s premiership has increased his drive to play on and strive for more success with the Swans.

“It’s just that feeling of winning and succeeding, and reaching the ultimate goal is sensational and I want that feeling again,” he said.