Straight-shooting Collingwood star Dane Swan admits his 2014 campaign was horrendous and putrid.

The 2011 Brownlow Medallist only played 17 games – his lowest tally since 2005 – and struggled with injuries, fitness and form.

Swan has never been a fan of pre-season training, but he said this year’s troubles made him realise he must have a solid buildup to next year.

“It was horrendous – I had one good game on Anzac Day and that was about it,” he said.

“It was putrid, so I certainly don’t expect to be like that next year.

“I’d like to come in after Christmas as injury-free as I’ve been for 18 months.”

While Swan has had off-season hip surgery, he said he was in much better shape than a year ago.

Then Swan was recovering from a wrist reconstruction and glandular fever.

He was restricted to walking laps.

Swan will not return to full training until February, but he is able to run and cross-train.

“Up until last year, I probably thought it didn’t mean anything,” the 31-year-old midfield ace said of pre-season work.

“I thought I just could come in with three or four practice matches under my belt, come out and play some decent footy.

“I was probably lucky there for a couple of years, but this year I pretty much did no pre-season at all.

“I tried to come back and do too much and that’s when my body fell apart.”

Swan’s testing year on the field is the latest example of how a bad pre-season can seriously hobble a player – especially a top-level onballer.

“I don’t think it’s the be-all and end-all that you have to do 100 per cent of pre-season … but in saying that, this year taught me a pretty good lesson,” he said.

“You need to come in with some kind of base under you, or you’re chasing your tail.

“For me, it’s certainly important to get a fair bit of running under my belt.”

Swan was speaking on Thursday at Collingwood’s annual pre-Christmas visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital.