It's fitting that Lewis Melican will be one of Sydney's most unheralded but important players at the SCG on Sunday, when they seek to celebrate the careers of Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe with victory over West Coast.
Grundy, who recently announced his retirement, will complete a lap of honour at halftime of the match.
Rampe, who was appointed co-captain for 2019, is playing his 150th game.
Both defenders are deeply respected at the Swans but lack the profile of counterparts around the country, with one notable exception being when Rampe got "sick of seeing" himself in the news after two gaffes in round eight.
Both backmen have taught protege Melican, who could be asked to shutdown the reigning premiers' in-form power forward Jack Darling on Sunday, so much about his craft.
"It was pretty emotional when he (Grundy) got up in front of the group and let us know he's calling it," Melican told AAP.
"He's been massive for me.
"In 2017, I got to play a lot with him and I was able to learn so much.
"This year, he's been a bit more hands on and gone through vision of my games with me ... how he'd approach match-ups and stuff like that."
Rampe has also been a sounding board and source of support throughout Melican's career, with the 22-year-old admitting his skipper's milestone "definitely adds a little bit to the match".
"With milestone games, you want to do everything you can for whoever it is ... to step up and show them the care you have," Melican said.
Swans coach John Longmire suggested earlier this week the focus should be on Rampe's inspirational leadership and career-best form, rather than the backman's bizarre scaling of a post and sledge of an umpire that attracted an AFL sanction.
"Sometimes you slip up if you're going 110 per cent, every minute of every game. We definitely look at the positives and take more notice of everything else he's been doing for us," Melican said of Rampe.
"He helps us all a lot ... he always does everything he can to win and get us across the line."
Darling booted six goals while two-time Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy kicked three goals last Sunday, when the Eagles crushed Western Bulldogs by 61 points.
Melican acknowledged the Eagles' forward line is among the league's most potent.
"One of their big strengths is that all of their forwards are pretty dangerous," he said.
"They work together, create blocks and try to isolate one-on-ones."
