FORMER Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes and midfielder Jude Bolton achieve a durability milestone that may have them feeling their age in Saturday's clash with Greater Western Sydney's youngsters.

The 33-year-olds are set to be equal second on most games (289) played together by an AFL pair, level with Richmond's Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke and behind only Adelaide's Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod (307 games).

Bolton believed his on-field understanding with Goodes was a handy asset for the premiers.

"The good thing for Adam and I is we've played in something like 20-odd finals together," he said.

"We've played some big games together and you just know what to expect.

"You need a nucleus of guys that have that stability and know each other's game inside out and from there you can throw some real youthful exuberance around."

But the midfielder wouldn't predict how long the pairing could continue.

"I think Goodes is probably going better than me in terms of his physical state," he said.

"He can play for another three or four or five years."

Bolton and Goodes played in both Sydney derbies last year but the atmosphere then wasn't on a par with that at the recent A-League clash between Sydney FC and surprising newcomers Western Sydney.

"That's a rivalry to envy," Bolton said.

"Hopefully that sort of passion kicks into the game up here as well."

A veteran of 301 games, Bolton accepted the Swans will have a target on their backs throughout the season.

"Certainly when we've been on the other foot you always want to take on the reigning premiers and really target them and get after them," he said.

"It's on the other foot I guess now, and we just have to get after them."