Former AFL champ Dane Swan to line up for Hastings in MPNFL Division 2

Former Collingwood champ Dane Swan won two Anzac Day medals — and he’ll be chasing another when he lines up in the Mornington Peninsula league on Saturday.

“I play pretty well on Anzac Day,’’ Dane Swan quipped ahead of his one-off appearance for Hastings on Saturday.

The former Collingwood star famously won two Anzac Day medals, in 2012 and ’14, including a sizzling 42 disposals, 13 clearances and three goals in the Pies’ win over Essendon in 2012.

Hastings will be hoping for something similar when it plays local rivals Tyabb Yabbies at Thomas Barclay Oval in Hastings.

The game will be part of the Anzac Day round in the Mornington Peninsula football league — and although Swanny is 38 these days, his ability to win the footy and influence games remains strong.

Playing for St Kilda City in the Southern league earlier this month, Swan (who was in the backline) sensed danger when Springvale Districts got within two goals early in the final quarter.

So he threw himself into the guts — and had 15 disposals and kicked two goals to ensure a Saints win.

Dane Swan playing for St Kilda City. Picture: Steve Tanner

Swan said he was looking forward to pulling on the Hastings jumper on Saturday, although the name of the opposition team had him intrigued.

“Apparently we’re playing a team called the Yabbies and I’m not convinced there’s a team called the Yabbies,’’ he quipped.

Told he’d be playing with some “absolute jets’’ in the Hastings side, Swan shot back: “Absolute jets? Well, I’ll believe it when I see it. But let’s hope so, I need someone to give me the ball.’’

And when told he would be playing with a Buckley — young Hastings player Tom Buckley — Swan said, tongue in cheek: “Well, I’m not playing then.’’

Dane Swan on Anzac Day, 2014. Pic: Michael Klein

Hastings coach Clint Einsiedel said Swan would be given a “mid-forward’’ role on Saturday.

“That’s where he’s done the bulk of his work at the highest level so I don’t think we’ll be changing anything up there,’’ he said.

“But we’ll have a chat to him prior to the day.

“It’s going to be a big promotion for us, it is a big thing for the club.

“And it will be great for the guys who get to run out with him.’’

Hastings is the first of Swan’s seven one-off club games this year. He will also play two games in Queensland and one each in NSW and South Australia.

His two games in Victoria are at Hastings and at Nyora on May 21.

Swanny and his manager and Ricky Nixon will be guests at a “massive’’ sportsman’s night straight after the game at Hastings on Saturday. Tickets: https://www.ticketebo.com.au/hfncdinnerwithdaneswan or by calling the club on 5979 1740.