Collingwood’s sleeve-tattooed Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan hasn’t always put his best foot forward in terms of his off-field preparations but that’s all changed this year according to coach Nathan Buckley.
Swan, who was out for two matches with hamstring soreness, returned in sensational fashion on Monday with a game-high 42 disposals as the Magpies shot to the top of the AFL ladder with a 9-2 record following their 19.15 (129) to 13.9 (87) win over Melbourne at the MCG.
The Magpies kicked the first eight goals of the game but Melbourne eventually showed the type of competitive spirit which drove them to their first win of the season last week against Essendon.
Melbourne closed to within 25 points at the 15-minute mark of the final term and scored six goals in the last quarter, but the Magpies booted nine as their midfield dominance proved telling.
Small forward Ben Sinclair led the way with three goals but seven players kicked two goals each including Swan, Jarryd Blair, Sharrod Wellingham and Alex Fasolo.
Buckley was thrilled with forward/midfielder Blair’s 27 disposals including 17 contested possessions, while Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom both had more than 35 touches as Collingwood dominated the clearances 41-33.
Blair, Swan, Beams and Sidebottom had 28 of those 41, handing the Demons a lesson in midfield masterclass.
“Swanny’s rehabilitation and professionalism in the last three weeks has been excellent,” Buckley said.
“He really has worked hard in the gym, he’s dotted the Is and crossed the Ts which might not potentially have been an area he has been renowned for in the past.
“Clearly he’s reaping the rewards of his work, when he hasn’t been playing, to get that hammy right and his body in great shape to hit the ground running.”
Both sides have a bye next week, but Collingwood’s high spirits following their hard-fought win have already been dampened by two-time All-Australian Alan Didak’s groin tear in the first two minutes of Monday’s game.
Onballer Nathan Jones had 31 disposals for the Demons while ex-Lion Mitch Clark continued his fine season with four goals, nine marks and 16 possessions.
Demons coach Mark Neeld, who was an assistant at Collingwood last year, says the Magpies play with a finals-like intensity.
“We need a sense of urgency for individuals and as a group. We just need to get better at some of the decisions we make under the heat (of battle),” Neeld said.
Clark said the Demons simply didn’t offer a team effort in the opening term.
“We didn’t have enough guys joining in at the start of the game. That’s what cost us,” he said.
