Swan, 27, will be a Magpie until at least the end of 2014, extending his time at Collingwood to 13 years.
The star midfielder, who was originally drafted from the Calder under 18s with the 58th overall pick in the 2001 draft, has elevated himself to be a champion of the club having won the past three Copeland Trophies (only the fourth Collingwood player ever to do so) and played in the 2010 premiership. He was also an All Australian in 2009 and 2010.
Swan has led the league in disposals for the past two years (820 in 2010 at an average of 31.5 per match), and won just about every media award on offer in 2010, as well as the players’ association and coaches’ association MVP awards. He finished third in the 2010 Brownlow Medal voting.
In addition to these accolades, Swan has proven himself to be one of Collingwood’s best big-game performers, having won the Bob Rose Trophy for best player in finals in both 2008 and 2010 (equal with Nick Maxwell and Dale Thomas). He had 26 possessions and kicked a goal to be one of the Magpies’ most influential players in the Grand Final Replay triumph last year.
Swan’s exceptional durability and toughness is evident in the fact that he has now played 111 consecutive matches, a streak that began in round 13, 2006. He notched his 150th game in the drawn Grand Final against the Saints.
After playing just 30 games in his first four seasons following his debut in round 13, 2003, Swan rose to prominence in the 2006 season by placing sixth in the club best-and-fairest, and followed that up with a fourth-placing one year later before starting his streak of Copeland Trophy wins.
Swan’s commitment to the Magpies comes after captain Nick Maxwell and All Australian defender Harry O’Brien also signed new contracts since the end of the 2010 season.
