Sport
27 May, 2026
NAVIES' SWAN SONG: Ex-Collingwood star to take field at Charlton Park
His one-off appearance was orchestrated by Charlton coach Carl Thiesz, who went on the front foot to chase Swan.
CHARLTON’S senior football season has been a dismal one, but on the horizon is a black-and-white knight.
Collingwood legend, Brownlow medal winner Dane Swan, will pull on the Royal Blue guernsey on June 13 in round seven against Boort.
His one-off appearance was orchestrated by Charlton coach Carl Thiesz, who went on the front foot to chase Swan.
A friend of Thiesz’s, former Melbourne player James Magner, was in contact with Swan.
“He spoke with Dane, and that was a date he was available, so we ran with it.” Thiesz told the NCN Herald.
Swan’s appearance is certain to draw a big crowd to Charlton Park, with the Royals keen to be more competitive on that day than they have been so far this year.
Charlton is winless on the bottom of the ladder, and while Swan may not be the difference between winning and losing, his presence will mean a lot to the young Charlton players. Swan will also appear at a fundraising Sportsmen’s night event at 8pm after the clash with Boort.
Given his colourful career both on and off the field, there are sure to be some ripping yarns told.
His game for Charlton comes a week before the celebrated appearance of Gary Ablett junior and Gary Rohan for Newbridge and Bridgewater respectively in the Loddon Valley league.
AFL Hall of Fame member Swan played 258 matches for Collingwood, including in the 2010 premiership team, and won the Brownlow Medal the following year.
At 42, he still making special appearances in a variety of country leagues.
Last weekend, he played for the Murray Magpies in the Hume League, which is a bit of a theme.
Against Boort, the former Collingwood star will play against a team in black-and-white stripes called the Magpies, so he might be forgiven for instinctively whipping out a handball to a passing Boort player.
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