Young Swan Harry Cunningham will lap up a “special occasion” when he runs out for his 100^th AFL match in Sydney’s massive clash with Collingwood on Saturday night.

The SCG is tipped to be full to the brim as Alex Johnson makes his first AFL appearance since the 2012 grand final, while the Swans are set to celebrate South Melbourne’s 1918 premiership victory over Collingwood, an anniversary 100 years in the making.

Cunningham’s own century will add to the storied night for the red and white, with the boy from Wagga Wagga set to become the third Swan this season to reach a ton after Gary Rohan and Jake Lloyd.

“Not many get to this stage to be able to raise the bat and play 100 games,” Cunningham said.

“It’s something that I’m very proud of and it’s something I’ll probably look back on at the end of the season.

“I’m just grateful and blessed to be at such a great club and to be able to share this weekend with not only everyone at the club and my teammates but my family and friends who will come down for it as well is awesome. It’s something that’s very special and to do it at such a great club is incredible and I’m very proud of getting to this point.”

Cunningham formed part of the Giants’ inaugural academy intake in 2011 but GWS would overlook the Turvey Park junior at November’s national draft.

The Swans snapped up the exciting midfielder as a rookie later in the month, with his relentless attitude and searing pace catching the attention of Sydney recruiter Kinnear Beatson.

While Cunningham faced the club he was zoned to on debut in Round 1, 2012 as Sydney took on GWS at ANZ Stadium, the youngster wouldn’t play another senior match that year.

But quality time in the NEAFL across the 2012 and 2013 seasons would set the stage for Cunningham to become an AFL mainstay.

Former Sydney captain Brett Kirk returned to the Swans ahead of season 2016 and now works alongside the 24-year-old as a midfield coach with West Coast legend Dean Cox.

Kirk says Cunningham’s dedication to football is outstanding.

“If I think of Harry Cunningham I think of his work ethic,” Kirk said.

“He works so hard and leaves no stone unturned to get the best out of himself. It’s great he’s come through the rookie list and then worked really hard to get on the senior list and to get to 100 games is a great achievement.

“He’s so well-respected within the four walls of our footy club. He pushes himself to exhaustion, whether that’s in pre-season or out on the track and you know he’s getting everything out of himself."

Cunningham was cut from a similar cloth to Zak Jones and Rohan – his pace is one of his most threatening weapons.

His fast wheels complement to a tee the ferocious attack on the football of Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, and his top-end speed allows him to do damage on the wing, off half-back and as a small forward.

But Kirk says Cunningham’s dangerous pace is just the start.

“It’s not too often he cruises and he’s got an ability to be able to click through different gears, which is a great asset to have,” Kirk said.

“You don’t want players to be all the same. It’s important to have a really good balance and he gives us that.

“It’s not only his speed but his game sense, his footy brain and the way he sees it. He has the ability to be able to communicate so the guys really trust him around the ball. There’s no doubt the last couple of years I’ve been here that he’s really grown in the sense that he’s taking some ownership of the footy club.”

Cunningham paved his way at the Swans as a youngster earmarked for big things and is now showing the next generation the ropes.

Ben Ronke, Tom McCartin, Ryley Stoddart, Colin O’Riordan and Darcy Cameron have all made their senior debuts this season, while a host of other young Swans are stamping their impact in the NEAFL and AFL.

“It’s all about work rate and you’ve got to be dedicated,” Cunningham said. 

“The AFL is a pretty ruthless industry. Plenty of players come in and out, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be at a great club with some great leaders and coaches around me, who have set the blueprint to not only play 100 games but succeed, which still drives me to this day. A really high work ethic set by the coaches and leaders has really set the scene for me and hopefully I can continue to set the scene for the younger boys.”