Ex-Collingwood gun Dane Swan laces up the boots for Nangwarry season kick-off in Mid South Eastern Football League

After battling through a win drought and surviving an arson attack, a country footy club has acquired the services of an AFL icon ahead of season 2023.

A former AFL superstar will head to the Limestone Coast this year to kick-off the local footy season for a struggling club which has battled arson attacks and a 106-game win drought.

Collingwood icon Dane Swan – a Brownlow Medallist, two-time Anzac Day Medallist, AFL premiership player and five-time All-Australian – will lace up the boots for the Nangwarry Saints in round one of the Mid South Eastern Football League.

Former player agent Ricky Nixon, Swan’s manager, revealed two other clubs had locked in one-off games with the ex-Collingwood champion.

Nixon said Swan was in high demand from clubs, proving to be as popular as Gary Ablett Jr — with fans travelling hours to attend the marquee matches.

“These games attract massive interest — they pull really big crowds,” Nixon said.

Collingwood champion Dane Swan will play for Nangwarry in round one of the MSEFL season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Dane is very considerate of the community and he always gets photos with all the young kids — it can be quite inspirational.

“He’s probably the most exceptional player I’ve seen at talking to youngsters about how to play and their future — I know when I grew up, the Carlton footy club came to Bendigo and it changed my whole life.”

Nixon and his fiancee Melissa bought into the Mount Gambier housing market following the significant boom in the region — using it as an occasional “escape” from Melbourne.

Nangwarry player Mick ‘Chappo’ Chaplin was instrumental in securing the deal after finding out Nixon was his new Mount Gambier neighbour.

“To be able to say they’ve played a game with Dane Swan, that’s huge for the players and the town – it’s going to bring Nangwarry out of the shadows,” Chaplin said.

“There’s so much positivity coming out of the club and everyone’s super pumped that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Dane Swan after winning the Brownlow Medal in 2011. Picture: File

The Saints broke an eight-year win drought last season when gun forward Andy Hyland bagged five goals in a 10-point win over Tattanoola.

The win came three years after the club’s recovery from its rooms being burnt down in a 2019 arson attack, causing around $500,000 worth of damage.

“To finally get that win was huge and now to kick-off the season with a player like Dane Swan, the excitement is at an all-time high,” Chaplin said.

Mid South Eastern Football League president Peter Mitchell said attracting a major player was a huge win for the league and Nangwarry.

“I think it’s a great thing for any country league when an AFL footballer is able to play for a local team – especially a Brownlow Medallist and premiership player like Dane,” Mr Mitchell said.

“From Nangwarry’s perspective, it’s been a battling club so to now have a showcase like this can only be a major boost.”

Swan will suit up for the Saints on April 15.