DANE Swan's focus this year is simple.

Posting his best season with the Pies in 2006 and placing sixth in the best and fairest, this year is about backing up his previous achievements.

"I just didn't want to be one of those players who has one good year when he's unrecognised," Swan said.

"When I got a bit more attention this year, I didn't want to become someone who just didn't do anything.

"I made it a pretty big focus during pre-season to make sure it didn't happen, and it hasn't happened so far and hopefully I continue to get better. I still have a lot of improvement left in me."

Swan, 23, said improving his fitness and developing his knowledge of the finer details of the game were key areas he was focusing on this season.

"It's about getting a bit older and a bit more mature, and reading the play a bit better and learning a few more tricks from the older fellas in the side,” he said.

"I feel like I've done that a bit better this year. And the side is also going well, which helps."

He might not consider himself as the future Collingwood skipper, but his leadership skills are something he wants to develop.

Swan said he has been encouraged by his teammates to take on more mentoring roles at the club.

"Leadership is something that has been talked about with me, and I probably don't lead around the club enough," he said.

"It's more that I haven't thought of myself as a leader before, and I just saw myself as one of the boys who went out and did what they had to do.

"We've got such good depth in our leadership group at the moment. I've been told by a few of the boys that I should start to try and be a leader, and I'm trying to be more vocal.

"I like to think that I lead with my actions on the field, but then it's at training and places like that I've got to start to speak up at, and grab some of the young fellas and help them improve."

Swan has never considered himself a role model. It was three-and-a-half years ago he was involved in an altercation that landed him in court. His teammates, however, have different opinions.

"I wasn't aware I could (be a role model) but that's what the other boys have spoken to me about. We all come from different backgrounds, but I'm always there if someone wants to talk to me or if one of the young fellas is in a bit of trouble," he said.

"That's where I can come in, and have a chat to them and tell them what I went through. I can tell them it's not very hard to get your life back on track, and that you can get another chance if you're willing to do the right thing.”

In 2004, the Magpie defender performed 100 hours of community service after being charged with assault.

He considers the episode a lesson learned.

"That's my past and that's something that will always be there," he said.

"I've never said I have any regrets about anything I've done in the past; that stuff has made me the player and the person I am today.

"People keep trying to open old wounds but it doesn't really bother me. If people want to write about my past, it's fine with me because I know who I am now, and what I do off the field is shown in my football. It translates on to the ground.

"In a good way, the trouble was a blessing in disguise. It was a few years ago now, and it's better to talk about my football these days and my current stuff, because I've been pretty well behaved for the last three or four years.

"Hopefully it's all dead and buried now, and I can get on with playing good footy and having a good life."