Swans trio into record books
The trio will break the record for the most games played together when they notch up their 254th league game together this weekend at AAMI Stadium.
It’s been 13 years since Goodes, Bolton and first-gamer O’Keefe took to the field in the same team for the first time against the Western Bulldogs on Mothers’ Day in 2000.
Goodes, Bolton and O’Keefe will break the record of Western Bulldogs players Brad Johnson, Rohan Smith and Scott West, who played 253 games together between 1994 and 2006.
While their first game together didn’t result in a win, the three Swans veterans have since shared some memorable moments together – none bigger than the 2005 and 2012 premierships. The trio have also played in ten AFL finals series together.
Speaking at the SCG ahead of their milestone game this weekend, the three Swans shared some of their best memories of one another over the last 14 years.
“The greatest memories are winning premierships, there’s no doubt about it,” Goodes said on Tuesday.
“I remember Jude wearing the helmet in ’05 with blood dripping out the side and Ryan winning the ‘Normie’ last year, and there are always fantastic memories that sit in your mind and will always be fresh in your mind.”
For Bolton, it was Goodes’ performance in the 2006 grand final in the face of defeat that stood out as one of the greatest memories of his team mate.
“It’s pretty hard to take away from the two premierships, but for me about Goodesy probably one of the things is maybe even the ’06 grand final,” he said.
“I still haven’t watched the replay of that but I know how much it just sticks in my mind how much Goodesy was just trying to lift us and he was absolutely tearing the MCG up but we couldn’t quite go back to back.”
While premierships and awards were on top of the list of memories for the three Swans, O’Keefe said his relationship with Goodes and Bolton outside of football was something he cherished.
“Obviously there are so many footy memories and they both have been such sensational players and it’s been a privilege to play with them, but even just the whole journey and our outside lives,” he said.
“We’ve pretty much grown up as teenagers right through to our adult life and have shared memories and families and kids and all sorts of things.
“It’s just been great to classify them as two of my really good mates and just to be able to share life and work and this period of time has been pretty special.”
Former teammates Tadhg Kennelly, Jason Saddington and Michael O’Loughlin shared their thoughts about the trio on Thursday.
“I think the similarities with the boys is that they worked hard really early and they never stepped straight into senior footy in their first year,” Saddington said.
“They worked really hard when they were young kids when they first came to the club.
“I think that’s what held them in good stead once they got into senior footy so that enabled them to become senior players and leaders around the club.”
Kennelly agreed: “They’re all different players, every one of them but the one thing I suppose that they’re all very similar at is that they’re extreme professionals.”
“They did everything by the book, preparing and recovering from a game … That’s why it’s no coincidence that they’ve been able to play over 250 games together, it’s crazy.”
O’Loughlin and Kennelly played in the 2005 premiership with the three and classify it as one of their best memories together.
“Obviously the Grand Final in 05 was pretty special to all of us,” O’Loughlin said.
“All three are obviously great mates of mine; we’ve been through a lot together. In that footy club environment it does that a lot for a lot of people.”
“The biggest memory I have obviously is winning the flag with them but as individuals there’s different things,” Kennelly said.
“Goodesy was very good to me early when I first came to the club, it was his second year at the club and he took me under his wing.
“Jude, it took me a while I suppose to develop a relationship with Jude, I don’t think he understood me for the first year and a half but we’re very close now as friends and his wife and my wife are close friends as well.
“Myself and Ryan got to the club the same year and we formed a bond very very quickly … We are good mates and his wife and my wife are very, very close friends.”
O’Loughlin said the record was a remarkable feat.
“I just think the way the all three have grown up together in those same sort of years, and have still been together for so long, is quite interesting,” he said.
“We talk about Adam first, who is obviously a great mate of mine – he’s a two-time Brownlow medallist, his record speaks for itself but the way he’s been able to conduct himself over those years has been outstanding.
“Jude’s been one of those players that epitomises what the Swans are about – absolute workhorse, first-in, last to leave type guy on the footy field.
“He’s an A-grade player but he’s an A-grade guy as well, just loves having a laugh but sets the scene when he comes to training.
“Ryan O’Keefe is one of those guys, like Jude, that is an absolute workhorse on the track and he’s really serious about his footy but he’s another one that was taken late in the draft and has been able to go on and be a really successful player and a leader at that footy club.”
Bolton and Goodes have both played more than 300 games in the red and white, with O’Keefe having played 268 – only 14 without Goodes and Bolton.
“All three have gone on to have great careers at the club,” O’Loughlin said.
“Goodsey and Jude – I’m so proud of those guys, they’ve played 300 games, and I think Ryan will get there in the next year or two.
“All three absolutely deserve every accolade they get and I love them I think they’re ripping guys.”