Sydney Swans stars Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Ryan O’Keefe will etch their names into the AFL history books this Saturday against Port Adelaide when the trio breaks the record for the most games played together.

The three Swans will notch up their 254^th league game together this weekend at AAMI Stadium – 13 years after Goodes, Bolton and first-gamer O’Keefe took to the field in the same team for the first time against the Western Bulldogs on Mothers’ Day in 2000.

Goodes, Bolton and O’Keefe will break the record of Western Bulldogs players Brad Johnson, Rohan Smith and Scott West, who played 253 games together between 1994 and 2006.

While their first game together didn’t result in a win, the three Swans veterans have since shared some memorable moments together – none bigger than the 2005 and 2012 premierships. The trio have also played in ten AFL finals series together.

Speaking at the SCG ahead of their milestone game this weekend, the three Swans shared some of their best memories of one another over the last 14 years.

“The greatest memories are winning premierships, there’s no doubt about it,” Goodes said on Tuesday.

“I remember Jude wearing the helmet in ’05 with blood dripping out the side and Ryan winning the ‘Normie’ last year, and there are always fantastic memories that sit in your mind and will always be fresh in your mind.”

For Bolton, it was Goodes’ performance in the 2006 grand final in the face of defeat that stood out as one of the greatest memories of his team mate.

“It’s pretty hard to take away from the two premierships, but for me about Goodesy probably one of the things is maybe even the ’06 grand final,” he said.

“I still haven’t watched the replay of that but I know how much it just sticks in my mind how much Goodesy was just trying to lift us and he was absolutely tearing the MCG up but we couldn’t quite go back to back.”

While premierships and awards were on top of the list of memories for the three Swans, O’Keefe said his relationship with Goodes and Bolton outside of football was something he cherished.

“Obviously there are so many footy memories and they both have been such sensational players and it’s been a privilege to play with them, but even just the whole journey and our outside lives,” he said.

“We’ve pretty much grown up as teenagers right through to our adult life and have shared memories and families and kids and all sorts of things.

“It’s just been great to classify them as two of my really good mates and just to be able to share life and work and this period of time has been pretty special.”

Goodes, who started his career with the Swans in 1999, said the key to his and his team mates’ longevity was balance.

“I think you’ve got to know when to switch on and switch off and I think we’re all very good at balancing life in recovery, eating the right foods and looking after our bodies,” Goodes said.

“There’s no doubt that we’ve all had injuries, but it’s how you recover from those injuries and it’s how you listen to your body.

“Some weeks you might be a little bit sore and it’s time to put your hand up and have a bit of a lighter week but it’s about listening to your body and listening to the medical staff.

“We’ve got a fantastic one (medical department) here and there is no doubt that without their help we probably wouldn’t have played this many games together, that’s for sure.”

Goodes added that the Swans’ success over a number of years has also been a driving factor for the trio to play on.

“We don’t ever sit back and think that we’ve made it to the top and that we’re the best,” Goodes said.

“All three of us still think we can improve, there’s no doubt about that and that’s what drives us.

“We want to improve and have success and we want to play finals every year. That’s not being selfish, that’s just what we want.”

O’Keefe, the youngest of the record breaking Swans, agreed with Goodes’ sentiments, describing his role at the Swans as the best job in the world.

“I think when you’re playing with a good group of players who have had a fair bit of success over our journey that it keeps you up and excited and if you’re in a winning culture it makes the place a lot more happier,” he said.

“It’s a great job. I think another thing is that we just love doing it and we’ve got that passion so why stop?”