KG: Tonight we cast the spotlight on Sydney Swans star player Michael O'Loughlin. Born in Adelaide, Michael moved to Sydney as a teenager to pursue his dream of becoming a great AFL footballer.

Michael O'Loughlin: I think my mum's obviously my biggest influence. She pretty much raised us by herself, and coming from a big family of six it's always difficult, but her strength, I suppose, and her discipline in keeping us boys in check and making sure we're going to school and doing the right things was a big impact.

On the sporting side of things, I think Gilbert McAdam was a big influence. Watching him as a kid and watching him run around on TV, I didn't think, you know, you didn't really see too many blackfellas running around on TV playing footy, so watching him play really inspired me.

WORKING WITH KIDS

Michael O'Loughlin: When I go to a lot of communities, I get a lot of the younger kids and we sit down and have a bit of a chat, and most of them enjoy school, you know, there's obviously a few that don't, but a lot of them get bored, so the most important thing is obviously keeping them in school and making sure they're doing their homework and they're listening to people that have been there and done it before. That's where if I can go out and have an impact on maybe just one kid, that certainly makes a difference.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Michael O'Loughlin: Oh, without a doubt, winning the grand final with the Swans. I think there was 90,000-odd people at the MCG and we got over the line, which was an unbelievable experience and then obviously bringing the cup back to Sydney was huge.

CAREER GOALS

Michael O'Loughlin: To finish my career out with the Swans. I'm currently the games record holder, I've been here for about 14 years now. I'd like to finish it here in another year or two or three - I don't know, see how the old body holds up. But apart from footy, certainly with the stuff I'm already doing - I'm also on the board of NASCA, which is an Aboriginal corporation which helps young Indigenous kids achieve their dreams, pretty much. I've been doing that now for about almost 10 years. And it's just something on the side that I've been doing, but I'll probably look to further that once I finish footy.