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Dane Swan: My Story
Dane Swan is a Brownlow medallist, three-time Copeland Trophy winner, premiership player and five-time All Australian.
The road to success has been an impressive journey for this AFL player. A laid-back knockabout who loves a party. Swan is the son of VFA legend Billy Swan and grew up in Broadmeadows, also where Eddie McGuire famously comes from. Both have gone on to climb to the top of their professions and both are at Collingwood.
Swan was number 58 pick in the National draft of 2001 and even after four seasons had made little impression at Collingwood. But with the aid of fellow players and coach Mike Malthouse, his natural ability developed and by 2009 he was an All-Australian and people were starting to pay attention to the mid-fielder. In 2010 he was a surprised third in the Brownlow and Leigh Matthews Trophy winner, Jim Stynes medallist, Lou Richards medallist, All-Australian and AFLCA Champion player of the Year. In 2011 the Brownlow went to Dane Swan.
An old-style footballer, Swan works hard and plays hard. He is one of the AFL's most prolific ball winners and has since become recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
In his autobiography, Dane Swan talks about the highs and lows of his AFL career so far. Revealing, fascinating, funny, and brutally honest, this is a must read.
He’s got an element of danger about him. He’s from Broady, he’s got tatts, he’s got a sense of humour, he’s his own man, he makes blues and he’s sublime on the field. – Eddie McGuire on Dane Swan
There are no airs and graces, what you see is what you get. He’s not trying to be someone he’s not and that’s the beauty of Dane Swan. He’s only always been Dane Swan and you either like him, like most people do, or you don’t. – Liam Pickering
Swan is the best mid-fielder in the AFL. – Leigh Matthews
The road to success has been an impressive journey for this AFL player. A laid-back knockabout who loves a party. Swan is the son of VFA legend Billy Swan and grew up in Broadmeadows, also where Eddie McGuire famously comes from. Both have gone on to climb to the top of their professions and both are at Collingwood.
Swan was number 58 pick in the National draft of 2001 and even after four seasons had made little impression at Collingwood. But with the aid of fellow players and coach Mike Malthouse, his natural ability developed and by 2009 he was an All-Australian and people were starting to pay attention to the mid-fielder. In 2010 he was a surprised third in the Brownlow and Leigh Matthews Trophy winner, Jim Stynes medallist, Lou Richards medallist, All-Australian and AFLCA Champion player of the Year. In 2011 the Brownlow went to Dane Swan.
An old-style footballer, Swan works hard and plays hard. He is one of the AFL's most prolific ball winners and has since become recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
In his autobiography, Dane Swan talks about the highs and lows of his AFL career so far. Revealing, fascinating, funny, and brutally honest, this is a must read.
He’s got an element of danger about him. He’s from Broady, he’s got tatts, he’s got a sense of humour, he’s his own man, he makes blues and he’s sublime on the field. – Eddie McGuire on Dane Swan
There are no airs and graces, what you see is what you get. He’s not trying to be someone he’s not and that’s the beauty of Dane Swan. He’s only always been Dane Swan and you either like him, like most people do, or you don’t. – Liam Pickering
Swan is the best mid-fielder in the AFL. – Leigh Matthews
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2016
24 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Dane Swan
1 book2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Dane Swan is a Brownlow medallist, three-time Copeland Trophy winner, premiership player and five-time All Australian. Notoriously he was a part of the Rat-pack, a group of players who liked having a laugh and a good time. But Dane Swan is highly respected for his playing ability and genuinely liked across the AFL's teams and fans. His many accolades attest to his brilliance on the field. Dane has been given the well-earned titles "untaggable" and "the greatest modern mid-fielder'.
Dane Swan is a Brownlow medallist, three-time Copeland Trophy winner, premiership player and five-time All Australian. Notoriously he was a part of the Rat-pack, a group of players who liked having a laugh and a good time. But Dane Swan is highly respected for his playing ability and genuinely liked across the AFL's teams and fans. His many accolades attest to his brilliance on the field. Dane has been given the well-earned titles "untaggable" and "the greatest modern mid-fielder'.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 30, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, so much so that I finished it in an afternoon and I'm not even a Collingwood follower.
Have to admire Dane Swan both as a person and a footballer; someone that, despite the system stayed true to himself, yet remained one of the most consistent and durable players throughout his career. His record of holding the second highest average disposals during that time is a testament to this.
Yes, he likes a drink and a social life outside of the game ,but when your footy does the talking who can deny this? Modern football has become too much about mollycoddling players and political correctness.
Will be sad to know that he will no longer be running around out there next year and can only wish him the best for the future.
Have to admire Dane Swan both as a person and a footballer; someone that, despite the system stayed true to himself, yet remained one of the most consistent and durable players throughout his career. His record of holding the second highest average disposals during that time is a testament to this.
Yes, he likes a drink and a social life outside of the game ,but when your footy does the talking who can deny this? Modern football has become too much about mollycoddling players and political correctness.
Will be sad to know that he will no longer be running around out there next year and can only wish him the best for the future.
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February 6, 2017coolest book ever
February 27, 2017
I've never read an autobiography before and I definitely didn't think my first would be about an AFL footballer.
I don't really follow footy, I absolutely don't follow Collingwood and I don't understand the rules but none of that matters when reading this book.
It is so good I read out loud in the car for 2 hours to my husband while he drove us to Christmas lunch at his mums. Who reads out loud to a grown man?! And I usually get travel sick if I read in the car. Not this day!!
Really interesting insight into AFL, the players, the culture and Dane Swan.
Well done Swanky.
#daneforthewin #imacelebrity
I don't really follow footy, I absolutely don't follow Collingwood and I don't understand the rules but none of that matters when reading this book.
It is so good I read out loud in the car for 2 hours to my husband while he drove us to Christmas lunch at his mums. Who reads out loud to a grown man?! And I usually get travel sick if I read in the car. Not this day!!
Really interesting insight into AFL, the players, the culture and Dane Swan.
Well done Swanky.
#daneforthewin #imacelebrity
August 11, 2018
Extremely honest and surprising. Swan doesn't hold back about his time at Collingwood and you learn to love him. "Don't read a book by it's cover" is the best I can describe this book, I am by no means a Collingwood supporter and before reading this book a big fan of Swan, but after completion I really admire him!
June 7, 2018
Loved this book - am a biased Pies and Swanny lover but this seemed so true to himself as he’s always come across. Highly recommend.
May 1, 2019
Would have given the book a 5, but it seemed to jump all about the place. Great player, easy to read book, very relatable.
November 10, 2020
hi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2021
Finished this book within two days of purchase.
Dane doesn’t hold back and really opens up on his past experiences. No crap, says it how it happened. Great for any sports fan!
Dane doesn’t hold back and really opens up on his past experiences. No crap, says it how it happened. Great for any sports fan!
January 26, 2017
Good honest read, telling it how it is
August 11, 2024
A true champion of the game. I'm glad that Dane did things his way. From the way he led his life off the field, to the way he trained. A very good story.
March 21, 2017
Loved reading about Dane Swan. Very inspirational - not only for AFL fans
March 10, 2017
really enjoyed the autobiography, it showed the true personalities of Dane Swan. The book talked about his life and the struggles he went through to eventually become the person he is today. Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was a very relaxing own to earth book.
November 7, 2016
I have to say I didn't read this book, my husband did. That is remarkable as it's the first book he's read from cover to cover in over fifty years.
He is a mad Collingwood supporter and ardent fan of Dane Swan. A real larrikin evident in a quote from the very first chapter title page - Over and Out - 'I'll prob retire at 30 coz I don't want footy to get in the way of my social life.' Hubby said it was a good book he really enjoyed. The font was the right size for an old bloke to read.
Throughout his reading of this book hubby would tell me little snippets. Such as, Dane was one of the Rat Pack at Collingwood, as a party boy he enjoyed life with his mates Chris Tarrant, Daisy Thomas, Shane Wakelin and Harry O'Brien. Mick Malthouse was the best coach ever and he stuck up for Dane when he got drunk and he was in big trouble. His mates started leaving the Club and things changed. He stayed loyal to the club under Bucks, and remained a consistent contributor gaining individual awards including a Brownlow Medal, three Copeland Trophies (to a novice like me that's the Best and Fairest). There are pictures of highlights and the young boy who began the journey. There are statistics at the end of the book too for those with an analytical mind.
I for one am glad that this book was written as it got my husband doing what is second nature to me, reading. I’m also glad I purchased this on line immediately it was released. I may even read it now as I do read biographies.
He is a mad Collingwood supporter and ardent fan of Dane Swan. A real larrikin evident in a quote from the very first chapter title page - Over and Out - 'I'll prob retire at 30 coz I don't want footy to get in the way of my social life.' Hubby said it was a good book he really enjoyed. The font was the right size for an old bloke to read.
Throughout his reading of this book hubby would tell me little snippets. Such as, Dane was one of the Rat Pack at Collingwood, as a party boy he enjoyed life with his mates Chris Tarrant, Daisy Thomas, Shane Wakelin and Harry O'Brien. Mick Malthouse was the best coach ever and he stuck up for Dane when he got drunk and he was in big trouble. His mates started leaving the Club and things changed. He stayed loyal to the club under Bucks, and remained a consistent contributor gaining individual awards including a Brownlow Medal, three Copeland Trophies (to a novice like me that's the Best and Fairest). There are pictures of highlights and the young boy who began the journey. There are statistics at the end of the book too for those with an analytical mind.
I for one am glad that this book was written as it got my husband doing what is second nature to me, reading. I’m also glad I purchased this on line immediately it was released. I may even read it now as I do read biographies.
January 24, 2017
I must admit that I am a Collingwood supporter. A true fan. My mum is the reason why. And I've claimed several players as my favourite over the years. But. For me, Swanny is the dark horse. He is the one player that I had a lot of love for without ever truly realising it. And reading this book has given me a lot of insight into how his mind works and what kind of person he is, and I think I've fallen in love with the person he is even more.
He isn't perfect and he is the first to admit that, but in this book he opens himself up to us and shows that he is exactly who he is and if people don't like it...then too bad.
He takes us from when he was drafted by the Pies all the way to his Swansong. He tells about what it was like during the Malthouse/Bucks transition...he sheds light on the Rat Pack...and so much more and through it all his voice is clear.
I can tell you now, though, even if you're not a Collingwood fan you will enjoy this book. Dane Swan is a legend in the AFL, and as his manager said, everyone, even rival supporters love him.
I will miss seeing him in the black and white, for real. Go Pies.
He isn't perfect and he is the first to admit that, but in this book he opens himself up to us and shows that he is exactly who he is and if people don't like it...then too bad.
He takes us from when he was drafted by the Pies all the way to his Swansong. He tells about what it was like during the Malthouse/Bucks transition...he sheds light on the Rat Pack...and so much more and through it all his voice is clear.
I can tell you now, though, even if you're not a Collingwood fan you will enjoy this book. Dane Swan is a legend in the AFL, and as his manager said, everyone, even rival supporters love him.
I will miss seeing him in the black and white, for real. Go Pies.
October 23, 2016
was such an amazing book, 10/10 do recommend.
I originally thought it'd be all pictures and going out drinking all the time, and maybe he does mention drinking all the time, but Swanny is such a smart man, very knowledgeable, and has very good opinions and thoughts on a range of topics.
He loves the Collingwood footy club, his mates, his teammates, his family, etc and yeah he's so laid back and calm, but he's so passionate for the things he loves.
Definitely a good read.
I wish the book could've continued and I still wish his afl career could've continued :(
But it's nice hearing Swanny's fine with his career ending and being content to move on and pursue other interests. I hope he sails off into the sunset with Taylor and becomes a barista in New York.
I originally thought it'd be all pictures and going out drinking all the time, and maybe he does mention drinking all the time, but Swanny is such a smart man, very knowledgeable, and has very good opinions and thoughts on a range of topics.
He loves the Collingwood footy club, his mates, his teammates, his family, etc and yeah he's so laid back and calm, but he's so passionate for the things he loves.
Definitely a good read.
I wish the book could've continued and I still wish his afl career could've continued :(
But it's nice hearing Swanny's fine with his career ending and being content to move on and pursue other interests. I hope he sails off into the sunset with Taylor and becomes a barista in New York.
November 11, 2017
Rating: 9/10
Fantastic Book for One of my Favourite Players in AFL
I was really excited to read this when I realised it was coming out, as he is one of my all time favourite players, despite not being a Collingwood supporter. This was the first time I had read a biography/autobiography, and straight sports novel and throughly enjoyed it. It was insightful in both his life, career and the football club, and yet it remained true to the character we have watched during his many games in his AFL career. The best bit was definitely the humour instilled by his character combined with the honesty written in his story.
Not much for non-fiction novels myself, I will certainly be looking at reading more biographies in the future, if they are written to this standard and humour.
Fantastic Book for One of my Favourite Players in AFL
I was really excited to read this when I realised it was coming out, as he is one of my all time favourite players, despite not being a Collingwood supporter. This was the first time I had read a biography/autobiography, and straight sports novel and throughly enjoyed it. It was insightful in both his life, career and the football club, and yet it remained true to the character we have watched during his many games in his AFL career. The best bit was definitely the humour instilled by his character combined with the honesty written in his story.
Not much for non-fiction novels myself, I will certainly be looking at reading more biographies in the future, if they are written to this standard and humour.
December 12, 2016
He is not my favorite AFL player, but he has been the most interesting one to watch since I became a fan in 2011. He played in the first game I ever watched, the 2010 Grand Final against St. Kilda, the one that ended in a draw, that had to be re-played the next week. This book, whether it was ghost-written or not, captures an authentic voice, a real Aussie rules player who has seen much in his 15 year career. He provides intriguing insight into his playing days as well as to the AFL in general. In reading this, I felt like Dane and I had sat down with a beer or three and he told me his story. Very fun read.
October 24, 2016
What a career, it was hard not to admire him. Reading the book brings back memories and emotions of a career well played which provided endless clickbait for maggots like Caroline Wilson. An absolutely champion player with a unique personality and strong sense of loyalty to his friends and family.
November 1, 2016
I really enjoyed this book.
It so true to Swanny. The way he was as a person and a player. Giving insight into how he thought and how he played and the truth behind some of the "incidents" that he was apart of.
It so true to Swanny. The way he was as a person and a player. Giving insight into how he thought and how he played and the truth behind some of the "incidents" that he was apart of.
November 14, 2016
Not a big fan of swanny but it was an interesting read nevertheless.
December 25, 2016
A real person in the fishbowl of the AFL is hard to find. All the best with life after footy Swanny you well and truly earnt it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews