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 Craig Bird ran out for his 100^th AFL match in a clash with GWS at the SCG.

If he wasn’t tied up playing Aussie rules, rugby league or soccer as a young tacker, Craig Bird and his dad Steve would be found spending the weekend cheering on the Sydney Swans from the SCG stands.

The boy from Nelson Bay took up Aussie rules at the age of eight and idolised Swans greats Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly, so he’d jump at any chance to catch the champion duo in the flesh at Moore Park.

And many moons later, not only would Bird be donning his beloved Sydney colours himself, but the famed number 14 guernsey that Kelly had worn.

The gutsy midfielder ran out for his 100^th AFL match as Sydney toppled GWS at the SCG in Round 16, 2013, and he has cherished memories of the day.

Craig Bird willing the ball through the sticks in his 100th AFL match.

“It was amazing. Just to play one AFL game was awesome so to get to 100 games, and especially with such a good team, it was a great feeling and I was really proud of the achievement,” Bird told Swans Media.

“There were a few obstacles along the way; I had a few injuries and didn’t think I’d ever get to 100 games. To play in such a good team in that period was also pretty special, and I remember my friends and family came down for the game. It was a bit surreal to run out and see my name on the banner because I usually flew under the radar in my playing career, so it was a great day.”

Bird’s mum, dad and sister, and a host of close friends, were at the SCG for his milestone match.

The 2012 premiership Swan was often assigned to clamping the opposition’s most prolific on-baller, but in his 100^th match he had a license to attack. 

While Jarrad McVeigh (three), Tom Mitchell (two) and Nick Malceski (one) claimed the Brownlow votes, with Malceski collecting the Brett Kirk Medal for best afield, Bird was also a stand-out.

The Swans’ 2008 Rising Star finished the game with 28 possessions and two goals as Sydney stormed to a 129-point victory.

“I often played a tagging role at the Swans but always relished the chance to go and find the footy,” Bird said.

“I played on the wing and through the midfield in my 100^th game, and I definitely always relished that chance because most of the time I’d get the job on the opposition’s best player.

“The Giants probably didn’t have the elite ball-winners for guys like me to shut down at that stage. They did have some players who were starting to develop, like Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio, but there wasn’t really a tagging role to be played on that day, so I just went out and found the footy.”

Craig Bird (left) and Dan Hannebery (right) celebrate a goal.

Bird slotted his second goal of the game in the opening minute of the final term, latching on to the footy in the right-forward pocket and threading a classy snap. 

“I didn’t kick a lot of goals so I enjoyed it whenever I did,” Bird laughed.

The Swans Life Member played 137 matches for Sydney in the years spanning 2008-2015, before adding 20 games with Essendon in 2016 and 2017. 

And while four years have passed since he last pulled on a Sydney guernsey, he’s now showing the way for the Swans of tomorrow.

Bird, who lives in Newcastle with his wife Emily, coaches the top-age QBE Sydney Swans Academy members hailing from the Hunter, a side job to working in IT recruitment.

“I really enjoy it,” Bird said.

“There haven’t been too many players who have come from this region. Isaac Heeney is obviously a recent one and Jarrad McVeigh is from the Central Coast, but to come back and pass on the knowledge that I learned throughout my career is really good. If I can help these young boys develop and maybe even make the AFL then that’s great.”

Bird wants the next generation of star footballers to enjoy the journey he’s travelled.

“I loved my time at the Swans,” Bird said.

“I was there for eight years and it was such a great period in my life. I got to play in a premiership at the Swans, I’ve still got some really good friends from the club and I really developed as a footy player and a person down there. I was also lucky enough to have two really good coaches at the Swans in ‘Roosy’ (Paul Roos) and ‘Horse’ (John Longmire). I look back on my time at the Swans with really fond memories."