In a series new to 2019, we revisit moments in history involving the Sydney Swans’ round-by-round opposition.

History, nostalgia and memories form a special part of what makes Australian rules football great, and we hope the Footy Flashbacks series reignites some of your fondest Swans moments.

In the latest edition, we wind back time to the day Canadian import Mike Pyke ran out for his 100^th AFL match, rubber-stamping one of the most astounding AFL journeys as Sydney met the Gold Coast Suns in Round 10, 2015.

Canadian import Mike Pyke spent his first night in Australia passing a Sherrin back and forth with his partner in their hotel room in Coogee.

The only problem was he was hitting the footy like a volleyball.

Development coach Stuart Maxfield collected Pyke and his partner Florencia from Sydney Airport, dropped them at the hotel and left the couple with a crucial but, to them, perplexing welcome gift.

Pyke, who had never touched or even seen a Sherrin in his life, would spend countless hours toying with the footy with his partner trying to perfect a skill he found “totally foreign”.

But Pyke, who had set out to become the first Canadian and former rugby union professional to compete in the AFL, would go on to play more than 100 games.

The towering Swan reached a ton as Sydney cruised to a 52-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium in Round 10, 2015 – and few have travelled a more remarkable journey.

“When I first arrived (football manager) Andrew Ireland made it pretty clear to me he didn’t expect me to play one game of AFL football, let alone 100, so it was really special to run out for my 100^th game,” Pyke told Swans Media.

“It wasn’t a smooth road for me, there were a lot of challenges to overcome and hitting the 100-game hurdle unlocks having your name on a locker as well, so it was a huge moment. I knew at that moment that I’d forever be remembered in the change room.”

A banner for the milestone man.

The Swans’ commanding win over the Suns in Pyke’s milestone match pencilled in a fifth victory in a row.

A dominant opening half stamped with nine Sydney goals to Gold Coast’s two set up a 13.15 (93) to 5.11 (41) win before a 13,068-strong crowd.

Pyke gathered a match-high 31 hit-outs in a battle with Tom Nicholls, and Ted Richards and Heath Grundy chaired him off the ground to an adoring reception.

“I got the pleasure of chairing off quite a few of my teammates too, and I don't think you realise how special it is until later down the track,” Pyke said.

“I remember taking my kids through the banner, my wife was there and the club flies your family in for those milestone games too, which is great, so my mum had come all the way from Canada to watch me play. We all certainly lapped up the experience as a family.”

Not only was Pyke clueless as to how to pass an Australian rules football when he first arrived in Sydney, the 201-centimetre, 104-kilogram giant was stunned at the size of the SCG.

“I had no idea how large the field was. I knew it was played on an oval, but I really thought it was only a bit bigger than a soccer pitch,” Pyke said.

“So I must say I was pretty baffled to get to the club, see the stadium and see the size of the field.”

But Pyke hadn’t yet locked his eyes on the much bigger MCG, the venue at which he won a premiership medal in the 2012 Grand Final.

Pyke only has fond memories of his time in red and white.

“It’s pretty amazing looking back on how everyone welcomed me with open arms in the football department and in the change room,” Pyke said.

“It was nothing I had ever experienced in a sporting environment before. I had played sport across Canada, the UK, Scotland, England and France, and there was nothing quite like the welcoming the Swans family gave me, which is certainly etched in my memory.

“I was really fortunate to arrive at a great club. There are a lot of guys who have tried to transition to AFL from Gaelic football and basketball and the like, and it’s a really difficult thing to do. So the most important thing you have is the right support structures around you. And on top of having an incredible administration and coaches, it was the change room and the players I had around me that made the transition for me really straightforward. The players I had around me really helped guide me in my success."

Mike Pyke dives to make a tackle in his 100th AFL match.

While Pyke called time on his AFL career after 110 senior games at the completion of season 2015, he hasn’t gone far.

Working as an investment banker, Pyke and his wife Florencia are raising three children on Sydney’s North Shore: six-year-old Jorge, four-year-old Alma and newborn Julian.

The whole family is often in the stands at Swans home games, and Pyke says he’ll forever be a passionate supporter of the club. 

“After about a year or so into retirement you almost settle in to full-time fan mode where you become an armchair warrior,” Pyke laughed.

“It’s very exciting to watch your friends and former teammates go out there and give it their all, and it’s also really exciting to see the young guys coming through. You certainly feel a bit of a kinship or a bond having been in the same position they’re in. I really enjoy watching footy and I will always consider myself a big Swans fan.”