He was already in tears when presented with his guernsey in a moving pre-game ceremony involving past players, but somehow, retiring Sydney legend Michael O'Loughlin made it through his 303rd game in the AFL.

The 32-year-old, along with fellow stalwarts Leo Barry and Jared Crouch, said goodbye to the SCG on Saturday night.

Despite a remarkable second-half comeback, the Swans fell just short against a Brisbane side that did its best to ruin the celebrations.

But not even the disappointment of an eight-point defeat could dampen the outpouring of emotion from the 27,933 fans, who showered the popular trio with affection after the match.

"For the first time in my life I'm speechless," an exhausted O'Loughlin, who kicked four goals in his final game, told reporters in the Sydney dressing room after the clash.

"I've spent half my life here almost and the crowd's given me so much, playing up forward obviously you kick goals and they give you a bit and hopefully the last game ever I repaid them a bit."

He added when asked to recount his post match lap of honour: "I was a wreck mate ... I still struggle with it now, talking about it."

"And you guys saw it the crowd were unbelievable. I've never experienced anything like that and never will again I don't think."

O'Loughlin held back more tears when asked what he'll miss the most after 15 years with the club.

"I certainly will miss the guys," he said.

"I'm a big people person I love getting around and I suppose you'd have to go and ask the guys what I'm like, but I feel I can form those relationships with those guys."

"I'm pretty easy to get along with and I think I make everyone feel welcome and I'm going to miss the locker-room banter where we're hanging shit on someone and having a bit of a laugh."

"That's what I'll miss the most, I'll miss going into battle with the guys all the time and playing but I'll certainly miss the camaraderie."

"You come in every day, walk in with a smile and walk home with a smile - it's such a special place to be."

Meanwhile, coach Paul Roos was reluctant to dissect the performance after the match, insisting the night belonged to the departing veterans.

But the popular mentor did praise his players' efforts after they very nearly pulled off the impossible victory after trailing by as many as 38 points early in