On life and football, Collingwood Media presents the words and wisdom of Dane Swan.

“I'm just someone who hasn't forgotten where they've come from. I'm just a normal dude who plays footy.”

- September 2011

“I'm a pretty simple person. I don't have many tricks.”

- April 2013

“Collingwood wouldn’t be Collingwood without playing in front of 70,000 every week. We love it, we love playing in front of massive crowds every week, you go out and buy memberships and I suggest you should re-sign because we’ve got an awesome group coming up. There are big things coming up in the next couple of years.”

- October 2008

“I was no good for starters. I couldn’t get a kick. I didn’t have the work ethic and attitude and professionalism to play in the AFL at a decent level.”

- July 2015

“To Dids, who would have won this (Copeland Trophy) if he hadn’t missed the rest of the games, Benny Johnson, who got me on the right track back in the day, the two Shaws, blokes like Guy Richards and Chris Tarrant who aren’t here, they helped me a lot, as much as their names might not be awesome in the media. What they’ve done for my career… No one will know the stuff they’ve done for me.”

- October 2008

“It was horrendous – I had one good game on ANZAC Day and that was about it. It was putrid, so I certainly don't expect to be like that next year.”

- December 2014

“If I had been out of contract last year (2014), I probably would have seriously thought about giving it away because I was going nowhere quickly.”

- July 2015.

“I didn't have a great year (in the TAC Cup in 2001). But before the finals, Mick Malthouse came down and spoke to us, because Robert Hyde (an ex-Collingwood player) was the coach. Mick said: 'Forget about what's done. What matters now is how you play on the big stage.”

- July 2010



“I was more interested in having fun and being a kid. I wanted to be with my mates and I hated missing out. I still do.”

- April 2013

“I think everyone’s already seen my new tattoos. On the first day on the track it was in the papers. It’s not finished yet; it’s got a fair way to go. It’s something I’ve always had an interest in and I thought I’d take the plunge this year and get it done. I’ve got a bit more to go bit it’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m not doing it for anyone else, if people don’t like it, then, well, I’m not fussed, I’m doing it for myself. I’m happy with it, as long as I am, that’s what matters.”

- December 2008

“Dad would want me to kick on my left. I'd crack the s---- and go home. If I didn't want to do something, no one could make me.”

- April 2013

“Ben Johnson made me follow him on runs but he has never lifted a weight in his life but, if you know Chris Tarrant, he obviously has a fair rig and he put me in the weight room so without them two there is no chance I would be here.”

- July 2015

“Winning the Copeland doesn’t mean a thing unless we win a Grand Final. You look back at individual awards at the end of the year, but with our side, I’m pretty sure we can go all the way. I have no doubt we can go all the way. Expect big things next year.”

- October 2009

“I don't know if I was crying (when Adem Yze kicked a bag on him in 2005). But I was just embarrassed by what he did to me. I was too embarrassed to look my teammates in the eye. I was pretty shattered. Everything went wrong for me that day, and Yze was on fire.”

- July 2010

“I can’t kick it, but I can get it.”

- July 2015.

“I’ll never get full range again. I'm doing full weights now, just not as heavy as I can lift. I couldn't write, pick up pens, papers, plates. I couldn't pick up my dog with my left hand.”

- March 2014

“I am like a cockroach. They can’t kill me.”

- July 2015

“The Brownlow is an individual award, but I certainly wouldn’t have won it without the other 21 guys each week who make us such a good side that it allows me to run free every now and then and get a few kicks”

- September 2011



“Don't you cut the snake off at its head? I am supposed to be the leader of the rat pack and I am still here. And Ben Johnson for all rights would still be here, but he retired. The rat pack is just a name for a group of boys who are mates and, unfortunately for me, they are all gone.”

- September 2013

“There are a lot better players who have come through the club and haven’t made it. I just got my opportunity at the right time.”

- July 2015

“Sounds like he (Darren Millane) would've been right up my alley.”

- April 2013

“I didn't go to the nightclubs, I let all the boys do their thing and I was at home watching movies at 10pm at night.”

- On his holiday with Dustin Martin, December 2014

“My parents have got my premiership medal, so if they want they can have it (my Brownlow Medal). I'm not big on trophies and memorabilia and stuff.”

- September 2011

“I doubt I will be an assistant coach. They have to watch the game three times from three different angles and I struggle to watch the highlights on the news.”

- July 2015

“I was given one more chance, and from then on, I've tried to repay him (Mick Malthouse) as much as possible. He's been everything to me as a coach. He's made me the player I am.”

- September 2011

“I probably had some fun times that others didn't. I've got some stories to tell. I don't have any regrets. Each decision I've made, it's been my decision. No one has tricked me or twisted my arm. It's all been me.”

 - July 2010

“The Copeland is overshadowed by the premiership, but when I look back and realize that I was judged the footy club’s best player in a premiership year, it is something I will hold very dear to my heart.”

- December 2010