COLLINGWOOD premiership midfielder Dane Swan has capped off an amazing year, adding the Jim Stynes Medal for best Australian player in the International Rules Series in Ireland to his long list of accolades.

Just four weeks after playing in the Magpies' winning grand final side, the 26-year-old led Australia to its series win in Ireland with a pair of consistent performances.

He had 33 touches in Australia's seven-point win in Limerick a week ago and backed up with a further 23 in the deciding match at Dublin's Croke Park, which the visitors won by three points.

"This means a lot. Jim Stynes is a hero of both Australia and Ireland and to win an award in his name is something I'm very privileged to have won," Swan said afterwards.

"I'm very humbled and very honoured and it's something I'll remember for a long time."

Swan polled 24 votes from Daniel Cross (14), Bryce Gibbs (11), Dustin Fletcher (10) and Adam Goodes (10) to easily win the medal, which was judged by coach Mick Malthouse and assistants Matthew Lappin and Glen Jakovich.

He acknowledged his remarkable season, where he not only played in the premiership but was also named the AFLPA's MVP and claimed various media awards, after Australia's successful campaign.

"It's been an unbelievable year, from pre-season, everything we worked for has pretty much come to fruition," he said.

"It's been a perfect end to the year and now I'll have a couple more weeks off and relax, and I suppose get back into it on the 14th [of November] when I go to Arizona so there's not much time off."

Malthouse paid tribute to Swan's work rate, which has seen him develop from a fringe player to become one of the elite midfielders in the AFL.

"He's had a fantastic career, more so, and he has had a terrific year," Malthouse said.

"There's not much more to be said about wearing a premiership medal around your neck but he's got a Jim Stynes one as well now and its' a credit to him.

"He works that hard on the ground to achieve that."

Malthouse also paid tribute to Swan's ability to block out distractions and setbacks, which he did on Saturday night when he shook off Ireland forward Tommy Walsh in the first half.

"When you look at Swanny's career, he was always a ball magnet," Malthouse said.

"It didn't matter really where he played, or what level. When he first came to the club he played in the seconds but just kept on getting the football and it wasn't long before we realised that we had to bring him into the senior side.

"When he came into the senior side he just attacked the footy, be it half back, half forward or midfield.

"Even today when we were throwing the side around I didn't have any fear of where I was going to play him because he just gets the footy and I've always admired people who do that."

FULL VOTING OF THE JIM STYNES MEDAL
24 - Dane Swan (5 5 5 5 4)
14 - Daniel Cross (4 4 4 2)
11 - Bryce Gibbs (5 5 1)
10 - Dustin Fletcher (4 3 3)
10 - Adam Goodes (3 3 2 2)
7 - Garrick Ibbotson (4 1 1 1)
6 - Liam Picken (3 2 1)
4 - Brad Green (2 2)
3 - Tyson Goldsack (3)
1 - David Wojcinski (1)

The votes were awarded 5,4,3,2,1 in both Tests, representing a total of 90 votes across the two games.