'Importance Scale' Dane Swan

[Coin_Toss]

The unheralded rise of this young man has been phenomenal. Last year he was just "doing his bit" in a torturing season for The Club when it pommeled to 15th on the premiership ladder. Unexpectedly, in 2006, he has increased his possession rate, meanwhile making his mark as a permanent midfielder.

Where would you position Dane Swan on the 'Importance Scale' at Collingwood?

Form aside, Rocca sits at the top,
Then Clement,
Then Fraser.

The rest are anyone's guess.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

The guy is a friggin gun. How he gets on his own that many times a game is beyond me.

Holland is by far our most important midfielder. Swan and Burns would be 2nd.

 

[ouu 5]

swanny is now a matchwinner... Can obviously kick goals

 

[Skoff]

Swan would be raking in 40+ possesion a game if he played the full 120 minutes. 95% of those posessions would be class.
The last couple of months has shown just how important a firing Rocca is to Collingwood, Presti is right up there. With him taking the No1 bigman Clement can dominate anything else that comes his way. The others are Fraser and Didak.
In order
Rocca - When the bigman fires Collingwood win
Fraser - Would be even more lethal if he had capable backup
Swan - Hope this season isn't one out of the bag. Class midfielder
Presti - When this guys beats his opponant he allows Clement/Wakelin to do whatever they like
Didak - His output this season has been terrific and looks more likely than anyone to win a game on his own
Clement - With the support of Presti can rip sides apart in the backline
Buckley - The emergence of Swan has added another 2 years to his career, still an awesome player that will have the best chasing him around when his on the ground.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Always thought he was quality but this year his pace and goalkicking ability have taken me by surprise. The back pocket has proven to be a fertile training ground for the Pies with R Shaw Johnson and now Swan becoming important cogs in our midfield. I look forward to next year when H Shaw also gets more midfield time.

 

[PieLebo87]

He isnt a matchwinner, JUST YET. He is a high quality, high quantity possession player who is capable of turning a game a slight turn in our favour, but cant win matches for us just yet. He is the midfielder we have been looking for to fill the gap. As good as he has been this year, if he improves his game slightly more over the next 2 seasons, he will be a gun Magpie midfielder who will be the first tagged week in week out in the AFL.

 

[dogga16]

Dane Swan will always hurt the opposition more than Brodie Holland as he is more of a ball carrier, line breaker, better mark and deceptively quick ...Holland is like an 'extractor', but, certainly a barometer for the team with his desperation & commitment and no less important !

Swan had a very good start to 2004 as a backman for the 1st 8 or so rounds, before they threw him up forward for more 'education', but completely lost his way and was dropped after less than 2 weeks as a forward. He returned later in the season back in his more customary role as a defender.

Now living in very close proximity to the Lexus Centre, saw far more training sessions & some practice matches, than before, and it was clear that Swan had a fantastic pre-season that could kickstart a fledgling career. Full credit to him for his workrate.

His ability to win contested ball and break away from the pack should not be underestimated

 

[ant22]

I must admit he has suprised the hell out of me . I thought he was a dud

For his height I doubt there is a better overhead mark in the comp and he could well be the best reader of the play in the club. He is very good at winning one and one contests and he has improved out of sight around the goals.

While his field kicking has improved alot I still think it is his biggest problem. He is a very short kicker of the ball so while he carries it he seems to go the shortest option. Having said that he is hitting alot more targets this year.

Just got him in the DT a couple of weeks ago after his more game against the hawks and he has been on fire the last 2 weeks so he has been a great buy.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

For his height I doubt there is a better overhead mark in the comp

I see a lot of similarities with Scott Burns and Gavin Brown in his strong marking.

 

[ant22]

I see a lot of similarities with Scott Burns and Gavin Brown in his strong marking.

agreed

 

[Jabso]

Swan can hit targets up forward, he may not be that damaging by foot but he is better than most of our team at hitting a forward on the chest or kicking to their advantage.

He is damaging though, hardly any of his possesions go backwards or sideways and breaks the lines alot.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Swan has the following:

Aggression and grunt
Small-man versatility (solid backman, goalkicker, clearance player)
Ball magnet
Ball carrier
Impact player (AFL #1 in 2006)
Football smarts
Club Value

That bottom one listed is one that has risen this season, as has most, but talking about importance, that is the no.1 thing, and he has value to his club. Therefore, his importance will be up a level. The other things are charecteristics he has, or can potentially grow on which will put him up the scale.

However, we know Rocca, Fraser, Clement, Holland, Presti and Maxwell are probably higher on the importance part, he is certainly added that value he needed to.

Good thread CT.

 

[Hadders]

I think a good way to judge his importance is the attention he is payed by opposition teams. Has he been getting tagged? And if so by a quality player? A far as I know I can't really remember seeing him being tagged by a 1st rate tagger for a full game, so I think this probably a measure of his importance. He's still behind guys like Didak, Buckley, maybe even O'Bree because he's yet to attract the oppositions #1 tagger.

But of course if he keeps playing the way he has been, this honour can't be too far away.

 

[Lockyer24]

He's a very smart player. But the most noticeable trait about him, and Benny Johnson, is their fitness. Run all day these two guys..and there is good reason...they ran together all pre-season

 

[sxcdavster40]

Have also noticed him a lot this year.

I used to think he was a dud but now, he is quite a damaging midfielder. A ball magnet with a really good nous for the game, he always seems to be in the right position.
Good mark and also kicks goals, which is essential as a midfielder.

Really turned it on for you guys this year and starred in a tough game against Adelaide a a few weeks ago. Amazing how big one year can be in a guy's career.

Will be a good player for years to come, now you can only hope for consistency....

 

[Lonie_from_50]

He's a very smart player. But the most noticeable trait about him, and Benny Johnson, is their fitness. Run all day these two guys..and there is good reason...they ran together all pre-season

Yeah, IIRC, Dane Swan has thanked Ben Johnson that much that he is now his idol and best mate. If so, good stuff Benny.

 

[crazy_pugsly]

Yeah, IIRC, Dane Swan has thanked Ben Johnson that much that he is now his idol and best mate. If so, good stuff Benny.

they always link up together in play, its beautiful to watch
i hoenstly dont know who i would prefer to be the designated kicker between the two