O'Loughlin and the Swans celebrated in style when they overran the Brisbane Lions at the SCG on Sunday afternoon, dominating the last quarter to win by 27 points.
The Swans had looked on the ropes at various stages throughout the afternoon and trailed by 10 points at the last break - when Kirk rallied his troops and reminded them of the importance of the day.
"We knew we weren't playing great footy at three quarter-time and I guess the question was posed about our care for Mick O'Loughlin, who was playing a huge milestone," Kirk said.
"We wanted to re-pay him for the faith he's put into the footy club and what he's been able to do for us. So it just showed I suppose in the last quarter, how much care we do have.
"I posed the question to the team: 'How much do we want it?' and 'How much do we want to do it for Mick?' "
Kirk, one of the elder statesmen of the Swans' line-up, said it was a big win for the club. While a positive win-loss record was achieved, the rugged on-baller was more concerned with ensuring his veteran teammate remembered the day for the right reasons.
"Everyone wants to start the season in the black I suppose or on a positive note, but for me I wanted to win today for Mick O'Loughlin because I love the bloke," Kirk said.
And the Swans' guest of honour played a big part in the last quarter comeback, booting two of his three goals to set alight the home side - and crowd.
"He's a freak and a legend of the footy club," Kirk said of O'Loughlin.
"He can do anything and put anyone on their ear, so he's a great bloke to play footy with, he's a great mate and we wanted to win today for him."
Kirk was also part of a group instrumental in helping Paul Roos' side gain the ascendancy.
The Swans' onball brigade, while themselves not accumulating huge numbers, won the midfield battle on the day.
The likes of Brisbane's Cheynee Stiller, Justin Sherman, Luke Power and Michael Rischitelli were unable to exert the sort of influence they showed during the opening two rounds.
And Kirk did his usual blanketing job on the opposition's best ball-winner - this time Lions' champion Simon Black.
"Simon Black's a gun, and when he's up and going he's a hard player to play against because he wins a lot of his football around the stoppages," Kirk said.
"I'm not sure of the numbers on the clearances but I think we were able to stop their uncontested footy.
"I don't think any of them had a heap of the footy, so yeah it was a credit to all the midfield and everyone through there."
