Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has declared star midfielder Dane Swan is back to his vintage best. 

The 31-year-old was one of the Magpies' best performers in the 18-point win over Carlton on Saturday at the MCG, amassing 41 disposals and three goals. 

It was the 13th time in his career that Swan has gathered more than 40 possessions in a game.

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Two of Swan's three goals came in the final term, each of them steadying the Collingwood ship that hadn’t won a game since round 11.

Buckley said he was pleased to see one of his stars return to form after a disappointing season last year. 

"It was (vintage Dane Swan)," he told reporters after the win. 

"I thought last week that he was one of our few four-quarter performers. 

"Great players have the capacity to let go of the things they haven't done particularly well, and come back to the things they know that they can do … as long as you've got enough tools in the bag, and Swanny has." 

By his own admission, Swan's 2014 season was "putrid". 

He had surgery on his hip in the off-season and is now managing his ageing body more effectively. 

"He's been able to look after himself a lot better, we've changed his program and he's bought into that," Buckley said. 

"For him to be running games out the way he is at the moment is testament to our fitness staff and to Swanny's professionalism to be up and about." 

The Brownlow medallist was left to his own devices by the Blues and was damaging around the stoppages with six clearances. 

"He's always had that breakout of congestion as one of his really strong points, and he was doing that late in the game last week as well as out of our defensive 50 stoppages. 

"Behind that exterior that looks like he CBF-ed (can't be f****ed) is a real want to win."