After being dropped from his under-18 side during the year, he had not been expecting his name to be called. And he had been looking forward to his week away since year eight.

"I'll be there," he promised the Pies. "But give me a few days here, first."

Swan is one of six Brownlow medallists to have got their start in what became known as the Superdraft.

He didn't play his first senior game until 2003, having arrived at Collingwood just before the club made it to two grand finals in a row and with lots to learn, but he retired in 2016 as one of the club's all-time greats.

In the second episode of Superdraft 2001 – a four-part podcast series revisiting arguably the greatest AFL draft of all time – Swan remembers how challenging life was as a lowly fourth-round pick unsure why the club had even picked him.

It's not true, he explains, that all draftees start from the same line once they make it to their club.

"Back then it wasn't, and it's still not today," he said.

Former Collingwood star Dane Swan. Photo: Justin McManus

"If you're the No.1 pick, you're getting looked after more than if you're the last bloke in the rookie draft.

"Back then, it was sink or swim. Obviously I nearly drowned a couple of times but that's how it was back then before all the welfare and development started.

"I wasn't ready for the commitment that was needed to play AFL. It was a fair shock to the system and I didn't treat it with any respect at all."

The 2001 draft has gone on to generate 34 premiership medallions, six Brownlows, six Norm Smith Medals and eight MVP awards.

Swan is part of a class that has produced five club captains, 17 200-game players, 29 100-gamers and multiple All-Australians.

The careers of Chris Judd, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, Jimmy Bartel, Leigh Montagna and James Kelly all began that day.

Swan, Bulldog-turned-Hawk Brian Lake and Swan-turned-Saint Adam Schneider are three late selections to have played in flags. 

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