Michael O'Loughlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael O'Loughlin |
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O'Loughlin at an autographing session in September 2012
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Kevin O'Loughlin | ||
| Nickname(s) | Micky O, Magic Mick, Paradise | ||
| Date of birth | 20 February 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia | ||
| Original team | Central District (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | 40th overall, 1994 Sydney |
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| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Michael Kevin O'Loughlin, born on 20 February 1977, is a famous former professional Australian rules football player. He played his entire career in the Australian Football League (AFL) with the Sydney Swans.
O'Loughlin was chosen for the special Indigenous Team of the Century. He was also one of the first Indigenous players to play 300 AFL games. He was picked twice for the All-Australian team. He also played for Australia in the International Rules Series. O'Loughlin was the first Sydney Swans player to play over 300 games. In his 303 games, he scored 521 goals.
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Early Life and Background
Michael Kevin O'Loughlin was born in Adelaide, South Australia. His parents were not married, so he took his mother's family name, O'Loughlin. This name came from her Irish great-great-great-grandfather.
Michael has a diverse family background. His ancestors include Czech Jews, Aboriginal Australian people (from the Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri groups), Irish, and English people. He is a direct descendant of Kudnarto, a Kaurna woman who made history in 1848. She was the first Aboriginal woman to marry a British settler in the colony of South Australia.
Growing up, Michael supported the Carlton Blues football team. He started playing junior football with the Central District Football Club in the SANFL (South Australian National Football League).
AFL Career Highlights
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Michael O'Loughlin was chosen by the Sydney Swans in the 1994 National Draft. In 1995, he played 12 senior games and was nominated for an AFL Rising Star award. The next year, he helped the Swans win the minor premiership. They later lost to North Melbourne in the Grand Final.
He became the player with the most games for the Swans in 2007. He passed records held by John Rantall and Bill Windley. In 2009, he became the first Sydney Swans player to reach 300 career games. His cousin, Adam Goodes, later played even more games.
O'Loughlin often played as a half-forward flanker. His speed, strength, and agility made him very hard for opponents to stop. People called him "Magic" because of his skillful play. He was also known as "Micky O". Later in his career, he played mainly as Sydney's full-forward. He was the club's top goalkicker in 2000 and 2001.
In 1998, he won the club's best and fairest award. He was runner-up in 2000. He was also selected for the All Australian Team in 1997 and 2000. When State of Origin games were still played, he represented South Australia. In 1998, he won the Fos Williams Medal as the best player for his state.
In 2005, Michael was chosen for the Indigenous Team of the Century. He was placed in the full-forward position. He said this honor, along with winning the 2005 premiership, was the best part of his career.
O'Loughlin was the only player left from the 1996 Grand Final loss when the Swans played in the 2005 Grand Final. He played very well in the 2005 Grand Final, taking some amazing marks. However, his kicking for goal was not as accurate as usual.
In 2006, O'Loughlin continued to be a key player for the Swans. He played a big part in the qualifying and preliminary finals. These games helped the Swans reach the Grand Final for the second year in a row. In a close final against the West Coast Eagles, O'Loughlin scored a goal. He then ran to the fence and cheered loudly at the Eagles' fans. This moment is shown in a famous painting called the Game That Made Australia.
In the 2006 AFL Grand Final, O'Loughlin played well and kicked 3 goals and 1 behind. He continued to play consistently for Sydney for the rest of his career. On 23 June 2009, O'Loughlin announced he would retire at the end of the season. He played his 300th game against the Richmond Tigers in Round 19, 2009.
Achievements and Awards
Michael O'Loughlin received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 1995
- All-Australian team member: 1997, 2000
- Played in the International Rules Series: 1997, 2000
- Fos Williams Medal winner: 1998
- Bob Skilton Medal winner: 1998 (Best and Fairest for Sydney AFL)
- Runner-up for Best and Fairest Sydney (AFL): 2000
- Sydney Swans Leading goalkicker: 2000, 2001
- Sydney Swans Premiership player: 2005
- Inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame
- Received "Outstanding achievement in AFL" at The Deadlys awards: 2005, 2009
- Member of the Indigenous Team of the Century
- Male Sportsperson of the Year at The Deadlys: 2009
- AFLPA Madden Medallist
- Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame: 2015
- Inducted into the SA Football Hall of Fame: 2017
After Football: Coaching and Community Work
After retiring from the AFL, Michael O'Loughlin continued to contribute to football and his community. In 2009, he received the AFL Players' Association Madden Medal. This award recognizes players for their contributions both on and off the field.
In 2010, O'Loughlin coached the Flying Boomerangs Indigenous team. They toured Cape Town and won against the South Africa National Australian Rules Football Team. He later coached the World 18 team for the AFL National Under 16 Championships.
In 2011, he was named coach of the Indigenous All-Stars team. They played against the Richmond Tigers. O'Loughlin also played in a charity match called the West End Slowdown. This game raised money for the Little Heroes Foundation and the Reach Foundation.
The GO Foundation
In September 2009, Michael O'Loughlin started the Goodes O'Loughlin Foundation, or GO Foundation. He founded it with his cousin and fellow player, Adam Goodes, and their friend James Gallichan. The foundation began in Dareton, NSW. It worked on different community programs for local Aboriginal people.
By 2014, the GO Foundation began to focus mainly on education for Indigenous Australians. It set up a board of directors. Important partners include the Sydney Swans, Allens Linklaters, QBE Insurance, and KPMG Australia. The foundation started by offering a few scholarships to private schools. By 2021, GO had grown to support students in 26 schools, mostly public, and five universities.
