Michael O’Loughlin will be remembered in the same breath in years to come every bit as big a Swans legend as Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly. Nicknamed Magic, O’Loughlin recently played his 300th game for the Sydney Swans in the AFL, not long after announcing his retirement from the game at the end of the year. A dynamic running attacking player, O’Loughlin has played in three AFL Grand Finals with the Swans and was a key figure in the club’s historic 2005 Premiership triumph over the West Coast Eagles. O’Loughlin is nicknamed Magic, because he is always capable of a freakish goal, or a freakish play such is his athleticism and talent. The first call O’Loughlin makes whenever the Swans fly interstate is to check on his children and one of his great moments was taking them home to Adelaide recently to meet his large extended family. “Most people know Aboriginal families have large extended families and I don’t think the kids realised how big their extended family was!” O’Loughlin said.

How big an inspiration are the kids to your career?
Massive! They don’t really care that dad plays footy, they worry about whether dad brings them home a present or surprise. It is great to come home, win, lose or draw, or if you have played a bad game, you go home and they put a smile on your face. - Michael O’Loughlin

Do they take an active interest in your career?
They are more interested in their uncle Adam Goodes than me. Because Goodesy is in so many commercials and promotions for the game, they always see him on TV or on a poster. They love him and the boys. They recognise the boys on TV, they are still fairly young and they come into training every now and again, but to Taya in particular, it is just coming into the footy club, I am sure they will understand once they both get older. - Michael O’Loughlin

Do you think they realise what you do and how famous you are?
Taya understands I play footy, she is 3 years old, she enjoys the football and coming to the game. She knows most of the players. Her favourite is Uncle Adam. She also loved Barry Hall. I don’t know that she realises quite what it is all about. James is too young, but he loves all the boys. - Michael O’Loughlin

Can it be hard being out in public with the kids, and having other children come up for autographs etc? Do they get jealous?
The first time Taya saw me at a clinic signing autographs, she wanted one herself and I told her she didn’t need one but she insisted I needed to sign a card for her, she threw it away later on! - Michael O’Loughlin

What makes him such a great father?
He is really attentive and enjoys playing with them. He is really helpful when it comes to bedtime, reading stories and singing songs. He is a bit of a pushover, which always makes a great dad! – Emma Orr