The SCG crowd will stand and applaud as the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal is draped around the neck of the player judged best afield on Friday night.

But Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has taken the chance to uphold the significance of the gleaming honour early, underlining the rarefied air occupied by Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin ahead of Marn Grook at the SCG.

Sydney and Collingwood will open Sir Doug Nicholls Round, an AFL initiative celebrating the immense contribution of the Indigenous to Australian rules football.

Longmire sees the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal as a special nod to a champion duo.

“We’re very proud that two of the greatest Indigenous players to have played the game played for our club,” Longmire said.

“To have the medal named after those two guys, who are really close, is a great part of our history as a club. This week is another opportunity to play for that medal and it’s always a very important moment for Mick and Adam.”

Former Swan Tom Mitchell was presented the inaugural Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for a brilliant performance against North Melbourne in 2016.

Star Sydney forward Lance Franklin then won it in 2017 after booting five goals against Hawthorn, before rising Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney produced a best-on-ground display against Carlton last season.

The Swans have won the Marn Grook Trophy 12 times since Sydney and Essendon first squared off for the prized honour in 2002.

Longmire says the annual Marn Grook clash is a revered event on the Swans calendar.

“It is an important game for us,” Longmire said.

“We’ve got a strong relationship with this particular game and we’re very proud of our relationship with the game. It’ll be terrific to be at the SCG to start off the round and we’re looking forward to it.”