EDFL: Westmeadows preparing for record crowd as ex-Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan takes field on Anzac Day

WESTMEADOWS is planning for the biggest crowd in its history when Brownlow medallist Dane Swan features on Anzac Day against Oak Park.

Dane Swan will debut for his junior club Westmeadows on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein.

WESTMEADOWS is planning for the biggest crowd in its history when Brownlow medallist Dane Swan features on Anzac Day against Oak Park.

Swan is slated to play his first Essendon District Football League match for his junior club on Saturday against Tullamarine and is expected to back up four days later for the Anzac Day clash.

A dual Anzac Day medallist during his time with Collingwood, Swan’s second match for Westmeadows is expected to draw a crowd of 3000-4000 people to Willowbrook Reserve.

“There’s definitely a buzz going on around Willowbrook at the moment. But not only there, through the league as well,” Tigers president Gareth Hanlon said.

“Going on the life members …(they) said that would be the largest crowd they could ever imagine being at the reserve. I don’t think there’s ever been anything close to that.”

Dane Swan dominated Anzac Day games during his time at Collingwood Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

The club has had to make provisions for a bumper crowd and has ordered extra toilets, bins, food and drinks to cater for the anticipated influx.

A plan has also been put in place to stop people parking on Mickleham Rd.

Swan has committed to play against Craigieburn in Round 7 and Airport West on August 11, which would make him eligible to feature in finals.

Coach Grant Smith said last month the club hoped to “squeeze him in for anything between four and 10 games”.

Swan, 34, retired in 2016 after breaking three bones in his foot against Sydney in Round 1.

He featured in 258 games for the Magpies, winning the club’s best and fairest three times and taking out the Brownlow Medal in 2011.

Hanlon said Swan had attended “a number of training sessions” as he prepares to make his Tigers return.

“(We’ve had) a number of messages from people that are keen to come down and be part of that weekend on the 21st and 25th,” he said.

“Anticipating close to 3000-4000 people coming down to Willowbrook, which gives us a fair indication of how people are responding.”

Westmeadows opened its campaign with a 79-point victory over Jacana on Friday.