COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has praised Dane Swan's improved professionalism, saying it was a key factor in his ability to make a best-on-ground return against Melbourne after missing two weeks with a strained hamstring.?

After the Magpies' 42-point win over the Demons at the MCG on Sunday, Buckley said Swan's commitment to rehabilitating the hamstring he strained in Collingwood's round eight win over Geelong had belied his past reputation for sometimes taking shortcuts in this area.

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"I think 'Swanny's' rehabilitation and professionalism in the last three weeks has been excellent," Buckley said.

"He really has worked hard in the gym - dotted the Is and crossed the Ts - which might not potentially be an area where he's been renowned for in the past.

"But I think he's clearly reaped the rewards of his work when he hasn't been playing to get that hammy right and his body in great shape to hit the ground running and he was able to do it today."

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After the match, Swan told collingwoodfc.com.au he had felt fresh after his two-week break.

"No doubt when your body has a couple of weeks to recover from all the bumps and bruises you get during the week you come out feeling fresh," Swan said.

"I was a little bit worried about my hammy early in the game and was a little bit handball happy. But once I got a couple of kicks under my belt I realised I was good to go so started to open up a little bit."

Injury has been an all-too-familiar presence at the Westpac Centre this season. But Buckley said the fact the Magpies' 9-2 record had been achieved despite having to call on 35 players and six debutants was the most pleasing part of the season so far.

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"When you find and expose a little bit of depth and those players ... stand up and play their role within the structure, well that's encouraging, not just for the short-term but for down the track," Buckley said.

Two players who have stood up during the first half of the year to cover the loss of inside midfielder Luke Ball are Dayne Beams and Jarryd Blair. Buckley said Beams' consistency had been the most impressive part of his new role as a key midfielder, something he continued against Melbourne with 37 possessions.

"His ability to bring his focuses back to the team-orientated goals and to play his role within our structures has been very good," Buckley said.

"Clearly he's finding a lot of the ball, which is probably the thing that stands out most from the outside, but his contested ball-winning and his ability to (provide) structure in clearances and spread both ways has been excellent for us."

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Similarly, Buckley said former small forward Blair, who had 27 possessions (17 contested) and kicked two goals against the Demons, was now a genuine midfielder.

"He's very good at what he does and what he does is win contested footy," Buckley said.

"It just so happens that when the whips are cracking at the end of the year that's what you need to be able to do. So he's a very important player in that regard."

Nick Bowen is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs