GROWING up in tiny Dareton in far west NSW, Ben McGlynn's only experience of Sydney was a barely-recalled sighting of the Harbour Bridge during a year six camp.

Little did he know that he would one day call the city home and bring up his 100th game in the AFL as a member of the Sydney Swans.

McGlynn caps a long and sometimes difficult path from the VFL to the rookie list at Hawthorn and finally to the Swans when he brings up triple figures in Saturday night's clash with Collingwood at ANZ Stadium.

The 174cm midfielder/small forward had to fight tooth and nail to realise his AFL dream, admitting there was a time when he was with Box Hill in the VFL that he didn't think he was going to make it.

Only offered a one-year extension by Hawthorn in 2009 following 44 games over four years, he jumped at the Swans' three-year offer and is now a regular member of coach John Longmire's side.

"It's been a long road starting on the rookie list and now playing my hundredth game," he said on Tuesday.

"I'm pretty proud of the achievement and looking forward to getting out there on the weekend.

"Out of the under-18s I didn't get drafted and went to the VFL for two seasons and learnt a lot there.

"I was then rookie listed at Hawthorn and spent four years there and now here at Sydney - it's my third season and I'm really enjoying it."

McGlynn joins the long list of players to produce their best football once they leave other clubs and link up with the Swans.

McGlynn, who turned 27 on Monday, said the Swans make it very clear what they expect of their recruits.

"It's just the belief that the coaches and the footy club put in the players," he said.

"They get you here to play a role within the team and not just to fill a spot on the list.

"As a player, if you've got that belief from the coaches, that goes a long way to believing in yourself and your own ability on the field.

"And I think just the leadership here led by Goodesy (Adam Goodes) and Jarrad McVeigh, it's a pretty strong group and they're very honest and driven and they drive the behaviours they want everyone to follow."

McGlynn has repaid the faith shown in him by the Swans, kicking 77 goals from his 55 appearances in the red and white.

And his journey is far from over.

"You're only here for a short time and I really wanted to make the most of it," he said.

"It was unfortunate it didn't work out at Hawthorn, but to get a three-year contract and then extend it again now, it's more than I could ever dream of.

"I've got two more seasons after this one.

"Plenty of time. I'll be around. You're stuck with me."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD