The SCG in all her glory can be a wonderful sight during the depths of an AFL season.

The colours and splendour of a mild Sydney winter, the sea of red and white in the stands, the thrills and spills of the footy, all held together by the roar from the Swans’ faithful…there’s nothing quite like it.

Over the years there have also been some colourful characters to grace the SCG; the larger than life players who shaped why we went to the footy and why we couldn’t wait for the next trip to Moore Park.

To celebrate our timely return to the SCG, sydneyswans.com.au takes a look back at some of those players who made a name for themselves at our spiritual home.

The high-flyers, the goal kickers and those who got down and dirty in the hallowed turf.

Warwick Capper

When you think of the Sydney Swans pre-1990, there are a number of players and images that spring to mind.

Of those, Warwick Capper’s name rises above the pack much like the charismatic forward’s playing style.

Over the course of his 90 games in the red and white, Capper captivated SCG audiences with his talents and flamboyancy which plain and simple helped sell tickets and keep the Swans afloat during a tough period in the club's history.

Capper’s exploits may have been as flashy, if not flashier, than the famous Swanettes at the time but there's no denying that those blonde locks lit up the SCG many times.

He kicked 176 goals at the iconic venue which ranks fifth in the Swans’ record books, equal with premiership captain and full-forward Barry Hall.

Tony Lockett

Tony Lockett stands as the greatest goal-kicker of all time, a mantle that most likely won’t be taken off the AFL legend any time soon.

His 281-game career (98 with the Swans) was packed full of memorable moments, most of which occurred on the same ground in which he booted more goals (295) than any other Swan or opposing number.

Who can forget his 1300^th career goal, against Collingwood in 1999, that etched his name in the history books forever?

Or, when the great man kicked the most talked about point in the competition’s history to help the Swans win through to their first ever Grand Final?

Or, probably the most memorable of them all, when a piglet with Plugger and the No. 4 written along his loins ran amok against St Kilda?

Ironically, Lockett was still a Saint and wasn’t actually playing when the little critter was let loose.

Indeed.

Barry Hall

Barry Hall was larger than life in every sense of the word.

The towering, intimidating and powerful full-forward, who came across from St Kilda in 2002, ranks third for the most goals kicked at the Sydney Swans and equal fourth for the most goals kicked at the SCG.

There's no denying Hall had a bit of white line fever but he also captained the club over two and a half seasons, helping to lead the Swans to ultimate success in 2005.

On-field, Hall was a machine. Off-field, Hall was the face of the 'excitement machine' that was the Sydney Swans Football Club at the time. Or at least that's what the side was called throughout a advertisement campaign promoting AFL and the club in Sydney.

Hall, along with a few of his better known teammates and this year's number one ticker holder Adam Spencer, starred in a series of commercials centred around the "Barry Hall Hall" in which "people come to learn about the great game of Australian Rules football".

It was a sign of things to come with Hall also featuring in a number of ads post-football before going on to feature in reality television show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here on top of being a Fox Footy presenter.

Barry Hall and Jude Bolton are driven around the ground for a lap of honour last season to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2005 Premiership.

Jude Bolton

Has anyone spilled more blood, sweat and tears on the SCG than Jude Bolton?

Arguably the Swans’ most ferocious player, alongside Brett Kirk of course, Bolton has laid the most tackles of any Swan (1490) and over a third of them (544) were unleashed at his home colosseum.

Bolton's game was moulded around contested ball, hardness and relentless pressure which made him a fan favourite and made the rest of the competition take notice.

He typified the Bloods' culture and was one of the key players behind the Swans' 2005 premiership success.

When Bolton took to the SCG, he left everything out on the ground which made him one of the most loved players in the Swans' history.

Adam Goodes

It would be a travesty not to mention the great Adam Goodes when talking about the SCG.

The two have gone hand in hand over the past 18 years, his retirement bringing to a close one of the most endearing partnerships the game has ever known.

Goodes played 143 games at the SCG, most of any other player in history and the most of any other sportsman from any code.

He was a genuine superstar, lighting up his SCG countless times to grow into arguably the greatest Swans of the modern era.

He was adored by Swans fans and a majority of the AFL community. That was on show when Goodes decided to take some time away from the game last season.

In the absence of the 372-game champ, the Swans' faithful turned out in droves for the Round 18 clash against Adelaide in an overwhelming show of solidarity and support.

And the SCG provided the perfect backdrop for what was a historical night.

Adam Goodes and the SCG went hand in hand.