Several Sydney Swans players could reach big milestones in 2022 with Josh Kennedy nearing 300 games, Luke Parker approaching 250 games and Dane Rampe approaching a double century.
Here’s a list of the milestones to look forward to this season.
300 games – Josh Kennedy (279)
Josh Kennedy could play his 300th AFL game in Round 22 when Sydney faces Collingwood at the SCG. His 279 so far comprise 13 games for Hawthorn and 266 for the Swans.
Kennedy sits sixth on the list for most games played for Sydney behind Adam Goodes (372), Jude Bolton (325), Jarrad McVeigh (325), Michael O’Loughlin (303) and Ryan O’Keefe (286).
After five seasons as captain, Josh Kennedy stepped down from the role for the 2022 season, making way for Callum Mills to join Luke Parker and Dane Rampe as the team’s co-captains. Kennedy will remain in Sydney’s leadership group, as he enters his 13th season in the red and white.
The 33-year-old midfielder qualified for AFL Life Membership after passing his 300th official AFL game overall – combining 279 premiership games and 24 pre-season games.
250 games – Luke Parker (235)
Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker could play his 250th game when the side faces Essendon in Round 16.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who re-signed for a further four years until the end of 2025 last season, will become the 11th Swans player to pass the milestone for the club.
Parker, who made his debut back in 2011, is coming off the back of a stellar 2021 season, with the midfielder winning the Bob Skilton Medal for a third time, adding to victories in 2014 and 2017.
He was a member of the 2012 premiership team and has played in a total of 19 finals with Sydney.
200 games – Dane Rampe (190), Jake Lloyd (176)
Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe could pass a double century in Round 10 when Sydney faces Carlton in an away fixture at Marvel Stadium.
A testament to hard work and never giving up, Rampe landed a spot on an AFL list at the age of 22. Ever since being rookie-listed in November 2012, the key defender has seized his opportunity.
Rampe made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2013 and played his 150th match in 2019. He’s a Bob Skilton Medallist, an All Australian, was named as an emergency in the Greatest NSW Team of All Time and he’s led the Swans as a co-captain since 2019.
Defender Jake Lloyd can also bring up the double century this upcoming season if the Swans progress into the finals.
The reliable defender, who enters his ninth season with Sydney, needs 24 games to bring up the milestone.
150 games – Isaac Heeney (129)
High flying marksman Isaac Heeney could reach his 150th game when Sydney hosts Collingwood at the SCG in Round 22.
Heeney, who recently signed a six-year contract extension keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season, made his debut with the club in 2015.
The 25-year-old enjoyed another dominant season at the club in 2021, kicking 36 goals from 21 games including four in Sydney’s elimination final against GWS.
A product of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Heeney enjoyed a decorated start to his career, taking out the club’s Rising Star Award as well as being awarded the AFL Coaches Association Best First Year Player.
In 2016, Heeney won the AFL Best Young Player award, took out the 2018 AFL Mark of the Year and was twice selected in the AFL Players’ Associations 22Under22, in 2017 and 2018.
100 games – Ollie Florent (93) and Will Hayward (89)
Approaching a ton, young guns Ollie Florent and Will Hayward could each bring up their 100th game this season.
Florent made his debut in 2017 and played 23 games for the club last season.
Hayward also debuted in 2017 and played 20 games last year.
The duo were recruited by Sydney with its first two selections at the 2016 AFL Draft.
#Buddy1000 – just 5 to go!
The star forward sits on 995 goals and the entire AFL community is keeping a close eye on the looming milestone.
Franklin is just five goals away from becoming the sixth man to kick 1000 goals in VFL/AFL history and with the Sydney Swans opening two games of the season located in NSW, the red and white faithful will be hoping it occurs in the opening fortnight of the season.
In exciting news for Swans match-access members, the Round 1 match against the GWS Giants at Accor Stadium will be included in their 2022 membership as a BONUS GAME. Eligible members must redeem a ticket.
Not yet a member? Join the club today.
First game back at the SCG
By the time our first home game at the SCG swings around, it will have been 287 days since we were able to welcome our Swans members and fans into the stands and 945 days since a home game without crowd restrictions.
What better way to mark the occasion than with a Friday night blockbuster against Geelong – a clash that already has our mouths watering, and one that will no doubt yield a packed house full of red and white.
Last time we faced the Cats, Tom Papley’s fourth quarter heroics sealed a two-point Swans victory. What can we expect in 2022?
View all the 2022 fixture highlights.
10-year flashback to the 2012 Grand Final
While we’re talking milestones, 2022 also mark’s 10 years since our thrilling 2012 Grand Final victory over Hawthorn.
We will face Hawthorn on the road this season, for a blockbuster ANZAC Day Round 6 clash in Tasmania.
