𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥: 𝗜𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗙𝗟 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗰𝗥𝗮𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮…..𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲

This time, however, Swan will not be pulling on the black and white stripes as a player. Instead, the Brownlow Medallist is set to return in a senior coaching and leadership capacity, marking a major step in Collingwood’s continued push to strengthen its football department with proven winners and club legends.

A Homecoming That Feels Right

Dane Swan’s name is synonymous with Collingwood greatness. A fierce competitor, elite midfielder, and fan favourite, Swan played a pivotal role in some of the club’s most memorable modern-era moments. His return has been widely welcomed as both a symbolic and strategic move — one that reconnects the Magpies with their proud identity while investing in future success.

Speaking on the announcement, Craig McRae highlighted Swan’s football intellect, uncompromising standards, and deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level. According to McRae, Swan’s presence around the club will provide invaluable mentorship for younger players while reinforcing a winning culture built on resilience and accountability.

What Swan Brings to the Role

While specific responsibilities are still being finalised, Swan is expected to play a key role in:

• Player development and midfield mentoring

• Cultural leadership and standards

• Match preparation insights and game-day support

• Bridging past premiership values with the modern game

His lived experience as an elite AFL performer gives him a unique ability to connect with players and translate expectations into performance.

Fans and Club United in Optimism

The reaction from supporters has been overwhelmingly positive. Across social media and supporter forums, Magpies fans have described the move as “perfect,” “long overdue,” and “exactly what the club needs.” Many believe Swan’s return further signals Collingwood’s intent to remain at the top of the competition for years to come.

Looking Ahead

With Craig McRae continuing to shape a strong, unified football program, the return of Dane Swan adds another powerful piece to Collingwood’s long-term vision. It’s a move rooted in trust, history, and belief — and one that could pay dividends both on and off the field.

For Collingwood supporters, this truly feels like the best news we could hope for — a legend coming home, ready to help write the club’s next great chapter. 🖤🤍