Dane Swan claims Brownlow Medal

UPDATE 12.10pm: BROWNLOW medallist Dane Swan says he's not big on trophies  and his family could have his medal if they wanted.

UPDATE 12.10pm: BROWNLOW medallist Dane Swan says he's not big on trophies or memorabilia and his family could have footy's most coveted award if they wanted.

Speaking to the media this morning less than 12 hours since he claimed the prestigious accolade, Swan paid tribute to his parents, his teammates and outgoing coach Mick Malthouse.

"He's the most important out of everyone," Swan said.

"Mick gave me a second chance and from then on I've tried to repay him as much as possible.

"To win a Brownlow for him in his last year of coaching is fantastic and something I'm immensely proud of. He's been everything to me as a coach and has been the only one I've ever had so he's made me the player I am."

Swan said his teammates had been supportive, albeit while giving him plenty of ribbing.

"I think they were half taking the p---," he said of their support.

"But I hope it has a positive affect on them. It is an individual award but I certainly wouldn't have won it without the other 21 guys each week."

He said his family, including his dad Billy, a former successful VFA player, were proud of his achievements and he would happily hand over the medal for them to hold onto.

"I'm not big on trophies and memorabilia," Swan said. "So if they want it they can have it."

Swan last night became the eighth Collingwood player to win football's highest individual award when he polled a record 34 votes.

He polled votes in 14 of his 23 games, including seven three-votes performances.

The Magpies' Brownlow Medal hero must defy 81 years of history to complete a unique Collingwood double in Saturday's AFL Grand Final at the MCG.

Harry Collier was the last Magpie to win the medal in a premiership year way back in 1930.

Nathan Buckley, who assumes control from Mick Malthouse as senior coach after the Grand Final, was the Pies previous winner in 2003.

After 13 rounds Swan had 13 votes but, after returning from a mid-season break at the high-altitude camp in Arizona, polled a total of eight votes in the next four rounds.

He missed out in Round 18 but then scored an amazing 13 from a possible 15 votes in Rounds 19-23.

Swan fought an intriguing duel with ineligible Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell in the second half of the season.

Mitchell, who couldn't win the award after accepting a reprimand for rough conduct in Round 5, finished two votes behind Swan after not polling in the last three rounds.

St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo finished third with 28 votes, but effectively was the runner-up, while 2010 winner Chris Judd couldn't muster enough three votes and finished on 23.

Swan was the hot favourite when he finished third last year, six votes behind Judd.

"Clearly, being the favourite doesn't help. I know it will make a busy week busier. But I won't let it take the focus off Saturday arvo,'' the Magpie midfielder said.

When the unfortunate Mitchell was awarded his eighth best on ground performance against Port Adelaide to scoot to 30 votes in round 21, he became the leading Hawthorn player to poll the most votes in a Brownlow count.

Hawks skipper Luke Hodge said Mitchell was at home watching the count with family and friends.

"I hope he doesn't poll any more votes,'' Hodge said when his teammate was still in front with 30 votes with three rounds left.

The absent Mitchell's steady stream of votes proved the umpires pay no attention to whether players have been suspended or not.

Dal Santo hit a streak of amazing form late in the season, polling four best-on-ground performances in five rounds to sit just two off the lead with four rounds to go. But he died in his run.

Judd started surprisingly slowly, having to wait until round five for his first votes. But he rattled home in the second half of the season.

Four three votes displays left him seven behind the leader Mitchell after 20 rounds. It again underlined Judd's remarkable consistency - the fifth time he had polled at least 20 votes in the medal count.

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett also reached 20 votes for the fifth time in a row, finishing on 23.

Judd paid a heavy price with teammates Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs regularly stealing votes.

But Swan also had to contend with midfield mate Scott Pendlebury who had wracked up 21 with four rounds to go.