AS ADAM Goodes prepares to set a new record for games played in the 138-year history of the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans, he finds himself deep in the discussion of the club's greatest ever players.

When he runs out for game No. 304 against the Hawks, he will pass his cousin, his former teammate and his great friend Michael O'Loughlin on the all-time list for a club that was formed in 1874.

With two Brownlow medals, four best and fairests and the all-important 2005 premiership - one of just four flags in Swans' history - Goodes finds himself at the forefront of the discussion of the greatest Bloods.

All-time leading goalkicker Bob Pratt, captain courageous Paul Kelly, plus multiple best and fairest winners and Brownlow medallists Herbie Matthews, Ron Clegg, Fred Goldsmith and Peter Bedford are also worthy of mention.

But, generally, only one name is regularly mentioned alongside, or possibly a nose in front, of Goodes - Bob Skilton.

Skilton won an astounding nine best and fairests, with that award now named in his honour, and he is one of only four players to boast three Brownlow medal.

He was even player-coach for two years in 1965-66, with a premiership the only honour to elude him.

Skilton himself knows where he rates Goodes.

"Right up the top," the 73-year-old told AFL.com.au.

"I don't like rating people because there's not much between them all.

"But the fact that he is the games record-holder, and the way he's playing; his athleticism is such that, barring accidents, you'd think that he'd have at least another three years after this year.

"That's what we're all hoping.

"He can compete with the talls, he can compete with the little blokes, his athleticism is amazing and he's so hard for anyone to match up on."

It's a sentiment echoed by Kelly, himself a Brownlow medallist and four-time best and fairest winner, and Goodes' first captain.

"Pretty close to top, I'd reckon," Kelly said when asked to rate Goodes.

"Goodesy's done it all. Look at him now at 32 and he's won a couple of Brownlow's, played in a premiership [and] he's still close to being the best player on their list. He's a beauty."

Bedford, who won five best and fairests and the 1970 Brownlow, sees similar traits between the two champions.

"'Skilts' was my idol as a kid," Bedford said.

"I'm sure that Goodesy inspires the young players today the same way that 'Skilts' did for myself.

"I'm hopeful, as I'm sure all Swans supporters are, that his resilience will continue.

"I'm looking forward to seeing at least another three years of Adam."

The final word was left to O'Loughlin, who has had an intimate insight into Goodes' development.

"I think when he first got here, like a lot of us, he didn't know how to train properly or how to go about being an elite footy player," he said.

"A lot of people think he has that natural ability. Yes, he's got some great traits, but it's purely through hard work where he's been able to get to.

"He'll play 350-plus. He's not a bad bloke to lose (the record) to, one of my best mates.

"I've just been keeping it warm for the champ."

Tributes to Adam Goodes

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou
"Adam Goodes will be remembered as one of the great players of the Sydney Swans, and a champion of our competition.
"Over his career, he has played almost every position on the ground, from ruckman as a youngster, into defence, then playing on ball and now moving forward while still playing significant time in the midfield.
"Aside from his durability and his wonderful skills, he has developed into a great leader for his community and a wonderful ambassador for the game and our competition.
"On behalf of the AFL, I wish to formally congratulate Adam on breaking the games record for the Swans, and I'm sure there will still be many fine performances to come."

Bob Skilton
"I think we are just so lucky that he was recruited by the Swans. I don't think we realised just how fine a player and a person we were getting. We are the fortunate ones that have able to get along and watch Adam run around in our guernsey, because he is one of our greats."

Peter Bedford
"He's just been a sensational ornament to our club and football in general I believe. The distinction that he's achieved as the games record-holder couldn't come to a more deserving person. He's just been marvellous in all aspects and the enthusiasm and the caring he has towards other players, inspiring them to be the best they can be, I think he gets as much out of that as doing well himself."

Rodney Eade (Goodes' first AFL coach)
"His career has been sensational and it's a real testament to him. He's one player that's gotten better with age and right now he's playing as well as he's ever played. To be playing at the level he's playing at after 300 games, not many players can do that. It speaks volumes of his talent, durability, professional attitude, preparation and longevity.  Unfortunately, I only coached him for three or four years, but even so, he's up there with the best four or five I've coached. In Bloods history, it's a long, proud history, but Adam would sit comfortably in the top half dozen to have ever represented the club."

Paul Roos
"It's always hard to compare players and era, but his record speaks for itself. He'll probably finish with 350-plus games, plus two Brownlow's, best and fairests, All Australian honours, a premiership and he's a great leader of the club. He will finish footy very proud of what he's achieved. His record sits alongside anyone else I've seen."
 
Paul Kelly
"Pretty close to top [in Bloods history], I'd reckon. Goodesy's done it all. Look at him now at 32 and he's won a couple of Brownlow's, played in a premiership [and] he's still close to being the best player on their list. He's a beauty."

Jude Bolton
“Just the fact that he’s never lowered the bar in his standards in his time and he just keeps getting better over the journey. It’s just an amazing effort by Goodesy and it’s going to be really special for him when he passes Micky O’Loughlin and I think he’s got plenty more games in him.”

Dan Hannebery
“You’ve sometimes got to pinch yourself when you’re out there playing with him and he does all the wonderful things he does. It's a huge privilege to come into the footy club and be lucky enough to play with Goodesy.”

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD

Andrew Lowther is an AFL.com.au Editor. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Drew