SYDNEY Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery says the opportunity to play with three club legends in their final season was invaluable.

Despite studying for his year 12 exams in Melbourne throughout 2009, Hannebery played the last six games of the year and shared the field with retiring stars Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch in their final game in round 22.

"They're just a bundle of wisdom, all three of them. They've helped me out with the transition from school to footy and they're guys you can speak to easily," he said.

"They're so down to earth and the way they go about their footy is second to none with the way they prepare.

"They're three guys who have moulded the club over the last eight to 10 years and they've really helped the club to enjoy success."

Hannebery, strongly built and with remarkable endurance, was grateful to have a taste of the Swans' famed culture during his first year as a senior-listed player.

"Stringing a few games together at the end of the season has been sensational. Getting the opportunity to play with the champions of the club and being here, being a part of it is just such a great experience," he said.

"You hear Brett Kirk and (Paul) Roos and these guys speak, and it really inspires you. It gives you hope and an opportunity to think of a future of being a part of this great club.

"To be part of this environment and this culture, I'm lost for words. It's unbelievable."

Unbelievable could describe Hannebery's effort to play at the elite level while completing his final year of school, 1000km from the SCG.

Swans coach Paul Roos said as much in a review of the season.

"If you had said to me at the start of the year that Dan would play senior footy, I would have said you were crazy," he said.

But Hannebery's ability to combine a training program and his studies with regular trips to Sydney during the school holidays paid off.

Successive standout performances for the Swans reserves during the mid-year holidays earned him a senior debut against Carlton in round 16 and he held his place for the rest of the season.

Rather than being satisfied with his achievements, Hannebery said his first taste of senior footy had made him desperate to become a regular.

There's the small matter of his final VCE exams, which commence on November 2, to get out of the way first but the 18-year-old said he couldn’t wait to move north.

"When I move up full time and start training, it'll be a big relief. It will make everything a lot easier," he said.

"Hopefully I can work hard, train hard and things work out and I can earn my spot for round one.

"If not, like this year I'll keep working with the coaches, working with the players and try to make myself the best possible footballer I can be.

"At the end of the day it comes down to work rate and work ethic and if I can get those things right, the rest of it will come."