Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan was unanimously heralded as best on ground against Essendon in the latest round of voting for the AFLCA’s Champion Player of the Year award.
Turning in a display of rare quality, Swan provided a timely reminder of the dynamism which has earned him a host of personal accolades, including six All-Australian guernseys and a Brownlow Medal.
Vote for your top three players from Collingwood's stirring ANZAC Day win in the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award.
His match winning, 26 disposal performance was highlighted by a third quarter surge showcasing the 30-year old at his scintillating best, including an audacious left-footed goal from a tight angle, and another trademark effort which saw Swan broke through a pack before slotting home.
Swan’s burst edged Collingwood towards victory following a first-half marked by a seismic shift in momentum which saw the Magpies claw back a 37-point deficit, inspired by three goals from Steele Sidebottom.
Receiving eight votes from competing coaches Nathan Buckley and Mark Thompson, Sidebottom also collected 26 possessions as he revelled in the occasion, his intervention sparking a Collingwood revival which proved unstoppable as the black and white reasserted its dominance on ANZAC Day.
Leading disposal getter Dayne Beams received four votes after dominating at stoppages, his 32 touches including nine clearances and 14 contested possessions, while Scott Pendlebury was awarded three votes as he overcame the negating attempts of Essendon’s Jake Melksham.
Pendlebury now lies fifth on the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leader board on 25 votes, two votes behind Geelong’s Steve Johnson, and 15 shy of Gold Coast’s early front runner Gary Ablett, who has maintained the form which saw him claim his second Brownlow Medal last season.
Collingwood v Essendon
Round 6 2014
Votes
10 - Dane Swan (Collingwood)
8 - Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
4 - Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
3 - Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
3 - Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
2 - Brent Stanton (Essendon)
Swan polls a perfect 10
Midfielder Dane Swan was unanimously heralded as best on ground against Essendon in the latest round of voting for the AFLCA’s Champion Player of the Year award.
