Hawks to be a force again as Micky O visits Tumbarumba

SYDNEY Swans great Michael O'Loughlin believes there is no end in sight to Hawthorn's days of dominance.

O'Loughlin made a whirlwind trip to the Riverina on Monday where he accepted an invitation to visit Tumbarumba for the first time where he spoke to school students about his life story.

O'Loughlin, who kicked 521 goals in his 303-game AFL career, was the one chosen to present the AFL Premiership Cup to Sydney should they have succeeded on grand final day but the Swans were hammered by the Hawks by 63 points.

O'Loughlin predicts the Hawks will be a force for many years to come.

"I would have thought they'll be heavy favourites to go again," O'Loughlin said.

"They're really enjoying a golden period at the moment and it looks as though they'll be as strong as ever again next year.

"They've got some fantastic players, who are all pretty aggressive and hard at it."

Since winning the premiership, Hawthorn has welcomed Melbourne defender James Frawley to the club, as well as promising Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jono O'Rourke.

This happened while the Swans were locked out of trade week, as part of a controversial AFL ruling.

O'Loughlin is still heavily involved at the Swans as manager of their academy programs.

He believes Sydney will hit back from the grand final loss hard next year.

"It was a disappointing end to what was a pretty good year," he said.

"They'll be licking their wounds and that first game next year it will be on for young and old.

"I know John Longmire pretty well and he'll have them primed come round one.

"They'll be looking for redemption."

O'Loughlin enjoyed his trip to Tumbarumba on Monday, having never been to the town before.

After visiting students from both the primary and high schools, O'Loughlin vowed to return again in the future.