The Collingwood Football Club honoured three household names with life membership at the club’s 2017 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening.

Premiership star Dane Swan, former captain Ray Shaw, and seven-time leading goal kicker Saverio Rocca were recognised for their contributions to Collingwood before a crowd of almost 400 at the Glasshouse.

Over 15 seasons as a Magpie, Swan earned almost every accolade available to an AFL player, including the Brownlow Medal (2011), three Copeland Trophies as best-and-fairest player (2008, 2009, 2010) and five consecutive All Australian selections (2009-2013), as well as top honours from both the AFL players’ and coaches’ associations.

His greatest achievement was undoubtedly becoming a premiership player in 2010 after a remarkable finals series, for which he received the Bob Rose Award as best player in the finals, capping a meteoric rise to fame.

The irreverent Swan lined up for 258 games and kicked 211 goals over his career, cementing himself in the hearts of the Magpie faithful.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire lauded Swan as one of the great players and great mavericks in Magpie history.

“Swanny was one of the players of his generation. An incredible footballer,” McGuire said.

“But he didn’t take himself too seriously. He was the game’s loveable rogue and together, as a footballer and a figure, he was one of the most loved players of all time.”

Fellow Copeland Trophy winner Shaw was an outstanding rover over eight seasons and 146 games with Collingwood. He captained the club in 1979 and 1980 and was named best-and-farirest in 1978.

Shaw played in five grand finals without tasting victory, but he took some comfort from his son Heath’s contribution to Collingwood’s 2010 premiership win.

The Shaw name is now recognised as one of Collingwood’s most famous, with Ray paving the way for younger brothers Tony and Neville to join the club, starting a proud tradition that was later continued by his sons Heath and Rhyce.

“Among the great names in the history of Collingwood – the likes of Pannam, Richards, Collier, McHale and Coventry – sits the Shaw name,” said McGuire.

“Ray was quintessential Collingwood – proud, defiant, talented and cheeky. He played with great heart, he captained our club, got achingly close to premiership glory so many times and was the first of what became the Shaw dynasty.”

Rocca was another Magpie fortunate enough to play alongside a family member, and he combined with younger brother Anthony to create a potent forward line.

Famous for his towering marks and bags of goals, Rocca peaked in 1995 to kick a career-high 93 majors and take home the Copeland Trophy. He is perhaps best remembered for his efforts in the ANZAC Day draw of that year, when he kicked nine goals against a young Dustin Fletcher, sealing his reputation as one of the most potent full-forwards in the country.

In all, he kicked 514 goals in 156 matches as a Magpie to sit fifth on Collingwood’s all-time goal kicking table.

“Sav was a remarkable footballer. He averaged more than three goals a game and could kick them from just about anywhere,” McGuire remembered.

“With Sav in the goal square, there was always great theatre in the game and the opposition were always nervous about what he could do.”

Collingwood also recognised the contributions of David Poulton and Rick Smith who were presented with Special Service awards.

Poulton was honoured for the pro-bono legal advice and expertise he has offered the club for many years and his leadership within the CBD coterie group for almost two decades.

Smith, founder of long-standing Collingwood sponsor PFD Food Services, has been a Collingwood benefactor for over a quarter of a century.