Sydney's AFL games club record-holder Michael O'Loughlin has been appointed high performance coach of the sport's Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) academy.

O'Loughlin, whose 303 games for the Swans included their 2005 premiership, replaces Jason McCartney, who left the AIS role for a job as a development coach with Fremantle.

O'Loughlin, a two-time All Australian and AFL Indigenous Team of the Century member has already had some involvement with the academy, as a mentor.

He has been working for the AFL since September last year, leading and developing indigenous programs, as well as assisting with other talent programs.

"The strength of the academy program is it offers the participants skills not only to be better players, but to be better people," O'Loughlin said.

"The AFL and the AIS have done an amazing job to create the academy program and working closely with Jason McCartney this year has been a great experience."

AFL national and international development manager David Matthews said it was good to have a former player of O'Loughlin's experience guiding upcoming youngsters.

"His leadership on and off the field as a player was outstanding and he has excelled in managing AFL programs this year, including his role as an AIS-AFL Academy mentor," Matthews said.

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