"We'll be right," Swan said after the match.
Of course, Swan was more expansive as to why the Magpies' first loss in 11 games was no confidence killer or form destroyer, but that was his general feeling.
Hear more from coach Nathan Buckley.
Many will subscribe to the theory that, having won every game since round three (when Carlton beat the Magpies by 60 points), Collingwood was due for a defeat and an 'off' performance. Swan tends to agree with that view, and hopes that his team can learn from its defeat to Carlton, like it did after that defeat in April.
"There's no doubt we took something out of the last time we lost to Carlton. That was our platform to winning 10 in a row. So hopefully we can win another 10 or 11 in a row or whatever it is, and we'd like to say this is our last loss of the year," Swan said.
"But the competition is so even that it's pretty hard to win every week. That's just footy, there's not much more we can do about it.
"What's the point in crying over spilt milk? You can be upset tonight, but come Monday and after the review, we'll wipe it clean and get a positive attitude back around the club."
The Brownlow medallist said it felt like Carlton was able to win the basics against the Magpies: be first to the ball, run harder, and help each other. Importantly, he said, they were able to withstand several of Collingwood's surges.
"We got within a couple of points and it felt like we were slowly turning the wheel but we just never got in front," the 28-year-old said.
"They just kept coming and kicked goals at the right time when we felt we were coming."
Collingwood's key forward duo of Travis Cloke (two goals) and Chris Dawes (one behind) had little influence on the game, meaning more pressure was on the Magpies' fleet of midfielders to make a scoreboard impact.
They have been able to do that all year, with Swan (12 goals), Dayne Beams (11), Jarryd Blair (12) and Steele Sidebottom (12) all regular goalkickers.
Against the Blues that quartet could manage only one goal between them.
Swan denied there is an over reliance on the midfielders to contribute scores.
"We won 10 in a row before this so what we were doing was obviously working, but I suppose after we have a loss the microscope will be pointed on individuals just like it was the last time we lost," he said.
"I'm sure the media will point out individuals who aren't performing well, but it's a collective effort and key forwards don't have to kick all our goals. They just need to be there to create a contest."
The Magpies face another two big weeks if they are to stay at the top of the ladder, meeting Geelong next Saturday night at the MCG and then Hawthorn in round 17. Swan said thoughts would turn quickly to the Cats.
"We'll talk about this one on Monday, but as soon as that's over we'll have to focus on Geelong next week," he said. "There's no point dwelling on it too long."
Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
