Sydney's milestone man Michael O'Loughlin says the famous unity of spirit which helped the Swans to the 2005 AFL premiership drove them to their equal biggest win of the season against Richmond at the MCG.

The Swans celebrated O'Loughlin becoming the first player in the club's 112-year VFL/AFL history to represent them for 300 games with a comprehensive 18.15 (123) to 10.8 (68) win on Sunday.

The result was never in doubt, despite some early inaccuracy from the Swans keeping a dismal Richmond within 29 points at halftime, before Sydney broke away with eight goals straight to the Tigers' 2.1 in the third term.

Adam Goodes was the clear standout with four goals, 21 disposals and 12 marks.

O'Loughlin chipped in with two majors during the third-quarter barrage, his first raising a huge cheer from the Swans contingent in the crowd and prompting teammates to swamp him.

O'Loughlin had earlier been presented with a jumper by former club games record-holder John Rantall, one of numerous legends of the Swans' past in the change rooms pre-game, and then ran through the banner with his two children, Taya and James.

He said the way his teammates united to deliver victory in the milestone match exemplified the Swans' culture.

"That's what our club's about, that emotion," O'Loughlin said.

"That's why we won the grand final (in 2005) because we had so much respect and pride in each other and I'm just exhausted now and humbled and thank God I came to this club."

He said the team had also wanted to use the occasion to pay tribute to past players, particularly those who helped the club survive some difficult years after what was formerly South Melbourne relocated to Sydney in 1982, rammed home by the presence of the former club greats.

"This is not just about me, this 300 is about all the players that have come to this club and worn the red and white, more about those guys who came to Sydney and that struggle that we had," O'Loughlin said.

"We were almost gone, then we came out the other end, we've had a bit of success now and those guys sort of paved the way ... it's just an amazing journey."

While the win was a nod to the club's past, there was also a firm eye on the future, with a large contingent of young players in the side, including Kieren Jack and Matt O'Dwyer, who both made handy contributions.

Big forward Jesse White also continued to show promise with seven marks and two goals, giving O'Loughlin confidence the forward line is in good hands once he leaves at the end of the season.

"I've had an average year by my standards, I suppose, but it's just more helping these young guys and getting them ready for when I hang up the boots," he said.

Richmond coach Jade Rawlings was scathing of his side, saying the way the Swans played for O'Loughlin showed up how little the Tigers offered in Ben Cousins' 250-game milestone.

"We were playing for a milestone," Rawlings said.

"Whilst he's a 12-gamer (at Richmond), he's someone who's offered a fair bit to our footy club, but it meant more to them to play for their mate who was playing his 300th."

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