To prepare for this year’s big matches, sydneyswans.com.au has compiled a list of Swans players on the verge of reaching milestone games and the potential game it could be brought up in.
300+ games
Adam Goodes: 350 games – Round 20 vs. Port Adelaide
One of the greatest players ever to pull on the red and white guernsey, Adam Goodes has the 350-game milestone in his sights in 2014. With 331 career games to date, Goodes is the club’s games record holder, and could reach the milestone as soon as round 20 this season. If Goodes reaches the milestone, he’ll join an exclusive group of just 13 players who have played 350 games or more in VFL/AFL history. The dual Brownlow medallist is also just one game away from breaking into the top 20 list of most League games played.
Did you know: Even if Goodes does reach 350 games this season, there is still one person at SwansHQ who can boast more games than the Swans legend. That man is assistant coach John Blakey, who played 357 AFL games in his AFL career, which places him tenth on the all-time list.
Ryan O’Keefe: 300 games – Round 18 vs. Hawthorn
Ryan O’Keefe is on track to join the ‘300-club’ this season, with the Swans veteran just 18 games away from the milestone. The 32-year-old, who will enter his 15th season with the Swans in 2014, could become just the fourth player in the club’s history to reach the 300-game milestone. Should O’Keefe play every game this season, he will also surpass Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin’s 303 games to move third in line behind Adam Goodes (331 games) and Jude Bolton (325 games).
Did you know: O’Keefe is also a chance to overtake Jude Bolton for the most finals played in Swans history, with the midfielder needing just two more finals to equal Bolton’s record of 26 finals.
200 games
Rhyce Shaw: 200 games – Round 7 vs. Brisbane
Following an injury interrupted 2013 season, Rhyce Shaw will have the chance to notch up his double century this year. On the comeback trail from a LARS knee reconstruction, Shaw could play his 200th AFL game as soon as round seven when the Swans take on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Did you know: Shaw, who was traded from Collingwood to the Swans at the end of 2008, is just one match away from playing his 100th game in red and white, after being stranded on 99 games following his season-ending knee injury in round 22 last season.
Lance Franklin: 200 games – Round 19 vs. Essendon
While the vast majority of his games will not have been in red and white – well none at this stage - Lance Franklin is on track to celebrate his 200-game milestone this season at his new club. Over the last nine seasons, Franklin has established himself as one of the competition’s premier forwards and has won the Coleman Medal on two occasions and is a four-time All-Australian.
Did you know: Franklin could be in line for another milestone in 2014, with the forward just 20 goals short of reaching 600 career goals, which has been done by less than 30 players in AFL history.
150 games – Club Life Membership
Kieren Jack: 150 games – Round 12 vs. Gold Coast Suns
Co-captain Kieren Jack is 11 games away from reaching his 150th game and achieving Life Membership at the Sydney Swans. Picked up by the Swans at pick 57 in the 2005 Rookie Draft, Jack has established himself as one of the competition’s standout midfielders and was named All-Australian for the first time last season and was runner up in the 2013 Bob Skilton Medal. Heading into his eighth season at the Swans, Jack could reach his 150-game milestone as soon as round 12, when the Swans meet the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium following the round 11 bye.
Did you know: Jack has proved himself as one of the club’s most consistent players, and has not missed a game since round 15, 2011
Heath Grundy: 150 games – Round 12 vs. Gold Coast Suns
While a stray forearm in the final home and away match of 2012 tarnished Heath Grundy’s perfect playing record over the last two seasons, the Swans defender has become one of the club’s most durable players of late. The key defender, who regularly lines up on the opposition’s biggest forward, has played 48 or the last 49 games for the Swans and is on track to earn Life Membership when he notches up his 150th game this season. If all goes to plan in the first half of the season, Grundy could share his milestone match with Kieren Jack.
Did you know: Both Grundy and Jack were taken in the AFL Rookie Draft as opposed to the National Draft. Not bad for two players who weren’t considered among the best for their age group in their respective years.
100 games
Lewis Jetta: 100 games – Round 23 vs. Richmond
The club and fans alike hope to see more of Lewis Jetta in 2014, after the energetic midfielder missed half of last season with a shin injury. Jetta, who was the club’s leading goal scorer in 2012 with 45, could reach his 100-game milestone if he can avoid injury and return to consistent senior football this season. Should Jetta play every game in 2014, he could reach his ton in round 23 when the Swans host Richmond at ANZ Stadium, which could be a spur for the side in the final home and away match of the season.
Nick Smith: 100 games – Round 2 vs. Collingwood
He flies under the radar, but Nick Smith’s on-field contribution can’t be underestimated. Often charged with keeping the opposition’s best small forward under wraps, Smith has proven to be an invaluable member of the Swans defensive unit. This season, Smith is set to play his 100th game for the Swans, and it could take place in the Swans’ first home game for the season against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium.
50 games
Alex Johnson: 50 games – Round 5 vs. Fremantle
The 50-game milestone has been a long time coming for Alex Johnson, who was sidelined for the entire 2013 season after tearing his ACL during last year’s pre-season competition. Before going down with his knee injury, Johnson had played all except one match since making his debut in round 3, 2011 and had amassed 45 career games in just two seasons. The 21-year-old has worked hard over both the off-season and this year’s pre-season and has his sights set on a return to football in early 2014. Should he play every match, Johnson will play his milestone in front of a home crowd at the SCG against Fremantle in round 5.
Gary Rohan: 50 games – Finals Week 1
Following a year out of the game with a broken leg, 2014 could see Gary Rohan reach his first statistical milestone at the club. Should the Swans reach the finals this season, Rohan could mathematically reach his 50th game. It would be a fairytale story for the kid from Cobden, who had to overcome many physical and mental challenges on his way back to senior football. After more than 10 months of gruelling rehabilitation on his broken leg, Rohan returned to the side in round 21 last season, and went on to play five games for the year to bring his career tally to 27 games.
