IF THE public images of the other Swans constants — the serene warrior Brett Kirk, the leaping custodian Leo Barry, brutal Big Bad Barry Hall, the superbly athletic Adam Goodes — are clear-cut, then Jude Bolton is something of a contradiction.

A coveted junior and top-10 draft pick, but with limitations in pace and skill. The nature of a labrador, but attacks the ball like a pit bull. A one-time pin-up boy, but not that comfortable in the spotlight.

That is partly why, despite a career that will have spanned 200 games by tomorrow afternoon, Bolton's important contribution to one of the Swans' most successful eras has not always been as widely appreciated as those of more storied teammates.

Even in his best years — he has twice finished top five in the Swans' best-and-fairest — Bolton has always been a player better understood by those inside the fence, the clubrooms or the coach's box.

By those who value the man at the start of the chain as greatly as the one on the end. Those, particularly, who know the duress under which players sometimes perform.

People such as Swans doctor Nathan Gibbs, who administered the painkilling injections in Bolton's shoulder before, and sometimes during, each game he played after dislocating an A/C shoulder joint two months before the 2005 grand final. Who also treated Bolton when he played out the 2006 season with a torn knee cartilage.

"The point was, he could have had an arthroscope," says Gibbs. "He could have said, 'I've already won the comp (in 2005) so I can take it easy this year.' But he never even thought about it."

Again, those decisions to play while hurt during crucial stages in 2005 and 2006 have led to contrasting perceptions about Bolton's contribution.

When he helped lift the premiership cup in 2005, his head swathed in bandages and still wearing the helmet required to keep them in place, Bolton's image as an archetypal Blood was underlined. "He and Kirky, they get more head cuts than any player in the game, which gives a good indication of the way they play," says Gibbs.

Yet, just 12 months later, the abiding images of Bolton on grand final day would be the two relatively easy set shots he missed — errors that would be vastly magnified when the Swans lost by one point. That night, at the Swans dinner, Bolton cut a sombre figure, turning away when asked to recount moments from the game. (Typically, he later apologised to his interrogator: "It's just been a hard day.")

"One thing about Jude is that he's really honest about his football," says coach Paul Roos. "He's very hard on himself. He loves the footy club and he feels a real responsibility for how he goes and how the team goes. At the same time, he keeps the disappointment to himself; he usually wouldn't let you know that he was down."

Before the 2006 grand final, Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse picked Bolton in his nominal All-Australian team (he was overlooked for the real thing), writing: "I regard him as the most underrated midfielder in the game and, like Hall, absolutely central to Sydney's success … Sydney is masterful at working the stoppages to its advantage and the success of this strategy starts with Bolton."

But, those missed shots created the perception that as well as having limitations with his field kicking, Bolton was an unreliable shot for goal — somewhat unfair given his career total of 94.57 at 62% stacks up well against some teammates such as Amon Buchanan (51.48), Luke Ablett (30.39), Ryan O'Keefe (168.127) and Kirk (75.60).

Bolton admits the 2006 grand final haunted him for a time. "You've got to want to have the ball, want to take that shot, and I guess there are some times when you're not looking for it," he says. "But you also want to make up for it, too."

So, with the 200-game landmark approaching, the goal he kicked from a tight angle to give the Swans victory over West Coast in Perth two weeks ago was timely. "Funny thing is, he's one of those blokes that when he kicks it right, it really goes straight," says Roos. "He might have just had a few shockers that people remember."

Through the highs of 2005 and the lows of 2006, Bolton's early experiences with the Swans gave him a good source of perspective.

He shared a house with Ryan Fitzgerald, whose promising career was cut short by three shoulder reconstructions. One of his best friends was defender Heath James, who suffered similar heartbreak due to chronic hamstring injuries.

"Fitzy (now a television and radio celebrity) is doing all right for himself now, but you see that careers can end quickly, it can be over straight away," says Bolton.

While he grew up near Melbourne barracking for St Kilda, Bolton was ingrained quickly in the Swans culture after being drafted by the club. So much so that his former manager, Ron Joseph, says he knocked back more lucrative offers from elsewhere in his first and second contract re-negotiations.

"There was a fair bit of interest, some opportunities to come home, but he's been very settled there, never wanted to go," says Joseph.

"I think he's always liked being part of what blokes like Leo Barry and Kirk and the others were putting in place."

Which is why, when Bolton's name was mentioned in trade speculation late last year, he received a jolt. While both club and player now downplay the possibility Bolton could have been traded, other clubs believed Bolton was available for a mid to late first-round pick.

Yet now, at a club where culture has become paramount, there is a sense of relief that one of the most selfless servants — a player who has missed just three games in the past eight years despite treating his body as a battering ram — will play his 200th game in red and white.

"I think, more than any other player, he's benefited from us going out of the finals early last year," says Roos. "He was just able to put the runners on and look after his body and he's having probably his most consistent season right now."

There will be a big Bolton family contingent in Canberra to celebrate the milestone, including grandfather Harold Blake, grandmother Molly Bolton and at least 20 other family members and friends. "Yeah, few there," he says. "Better get a kick."

Even if he doesn't, they'll understand what Bolton has achieved over 200 games. Just as most insiders do.