One call from a former teammate was all it took to convince Dane Swan to play NTFL

All it took was for retired legend Dane Swan to joke that he’ll come to Darwin and have a kick in the NTFL. His former Magpies teammate then rang him ... and the rest is history.

ALL it took was for retired legend Dane Swan to joke that he’ll come to Darwin and have a kick in the NTFL.

That triggered a flashing lightbulb in Chris Bryan’s head to get his former Collingwood teammate to Waratah. And on Friday night that became a stunning reality when the Warriors announced the 2011 Brownlow Medal winner would come up for a game versus Southern Districts in round 10 of the 2021-22 at Gardens Oval on December 4. “I was at the gym when I heard Dane say that, and I thought ‘I’ve still got his number – I’ll give him a call’,” Bryan said.

“Dane and I had a good connection when we played together at Collingwood and I couldn’t be more pleased with this. Full credit to the Waratah club for backing me.”

Former Collingwood legend Dane Swan after announcing his AFL retirement back in 2016. Picture: Michael Klein

Swan has enjoyed himself on and off the field after playing his last AFL game in 2016.

“He’s gone to a few clubs and played a game for them, then done hosted sportsmen’s nights afterwards, and he’ll do that for Waratah after his game on December 4,” Bryan said.

“Ricky Nixon the famous AFL player manager will host it with him.”

Bryan has made an instant impression at Waratah after choosing to stay in Darwin last year.

“Me and my wife were travelling around Australia and we wanted to keep going to WA, then she said ‘let’s stay and experience a wet season’, and we’re still here,” Bryan said.

“I bumped into (Waratah coach) Ryan Ayres who I played with in Melbourne while watching my kids play, and that was how I got involved.”

Bryan has never enjoyed sitting still.

And this was why he had no hesitation ringing his former star Collingwood teammate Dane Swan to come and have a game for Waratah.

Bryan has certainly lived life to the fullest.

After playing 46 AFL games at both the Magpies and Carlton, the now 39-year-old tried his luck as a punter at NFL franchises Green Bay, Tampa Bay and New York Jets.

And he loved it.

Former Collingwood footballer Chris Bryan before going over the the US as a punter in the NFL. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Everything is huge over there, and it’s very similar to what you actually see in the movies,” he said.

“We’d fly in private jets and have police escorts everywhere we went. It was next-level.

“When I got back to Australia I felt my life was becoming mundane, so me and my wife said ‘let’s change things up and live a progressive life’.

“I’ve always played and coached at footy things, so this is a new challenge but a good challenge.

“Waratah Football Club is going places, especially with its Alex Aurrichio Academy for our junior players. And of course I’m working on getting more (high-profile) players up here.”

****************

DECEMBER 4, mark the date, it’s not one that any NTFL fan will want to miss as 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan makes his debut for Waratah.

The 258 game Collingwood AFL great has done it all at the top level kicking 211 goals, being a five time All Australian and three time Copeland Trophy winner and winning the premiership in 2010.

And now his signature is signed to Waratah for a Round 10 hit out against Southern Districts at the Warriors home of Gardens Oval.

Playing a large part in Swan’s interest in Tahs was their junior development academy, the Waratah Alexander Aurrichio Academy, named in memory of the late Alex ‘Rooch’ Aurrichio.

Club president Rohan Langworthy said it was that junior focused academy that had captured the interest of the AFL legend.

“Swanny was really keen to hear about what the club was doing and how he could add value to our junior program,” Langworthy said.

“The late Alexander ‘Rooch’ Aurrichio had an immeasurable impact on our football club and we established this academy to both honour his legacy and help drive our future.

“We are excited, it will be a great day for the not only the club but the league to have a player of his calibre and experience take to the field.

“However, the main intent to have him here is what it will bring to our juniors. They will get first hand advice on what it takes to not only play AFL but win a premiership. He will love his time in Darwin.”

Dane Swan celebrates Collingwood’s players victory over St Kilda after the replayed 2010 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Waratah’s coach Ryan Ayres was ecstatic to have made the signing saying it was a great opportunity for his club and the competition to learn from someone of his experience.

“Having someone of Swanny’s calibre join us, for even one game, brings unbelievable experience that all senior and junior teams can learn from,” Ayres said.

“Not only for our club, but for the competition itself to have a Brownlow medallist playing in our league.

“It further provides opportunities for our juniors, especially our academy members to learn from him in what they need to do to set themselves up for success in our game.

“Not to mention it will be a cracking weekend for the club and not one to be missed.”

It’s the signing that is being rated as the biggest in NTFL history secured by Waratah’s new director of football Chris Bryan who playd 46 AFL games between 2005 and 2009.

There’s plenty to be excited about for Waratah this season with the club having also named 140 game VFL player James Munro in their list for the season ahead.

EARLIER: A MAN who was travelling through Darwin with his family and then decided to stay when the Covid-19 crisis became a pandemic can be credited for pulling off the biggest signing in NTFL history.

Chris Bryan is the man who has secured AFL legend Dane Swan’s signature for the 2021-22 season.

Bryan – Waratah’s new director of football – played 46 AFL games from 2005 to 2009.

Thirty of those were with Swan’s former club Collingwood between 2007 and 2009.

Bryan has made an instant impression at the Warriors, almost single-handedly securing the commitment 2011 Brownlow Medal winner, Swan.

Former Collingwood star Dane Swan during his prime. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

After settling in Darwin with his young family, Waratah pounced and created a director of football role for him.

Bryan also played at Division 2 level for the red-and-whites, developing a close bond with Premier League coach Ryan Ayres, also a former AFL player.

Swan, a former Magpies star, will make his NTFL debut against Southern Districts at Gardens Oval in round 10 on Saturday, December 4.

He is an AFL great who requires little introduction.

After his 2011 Brownlow Medal triumph, he retired in 2016, having played 258 games for the black-and-white club, after winning the club’s Copeland Trophy (best and fairest) three times.

The now 37-year-old kicked 211 goals in his AFL career, with the premiership winner also named five times as an All Australian.

Dane Swan at Collingwood training during his final AFL season in 2016. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“It’s unreal. I’m really excited to play alongside him,” Waratah captain Brodie Caroll said.

“I also can’t wait to have a drink with him. He’ll bring a lot of knowledge on and off the field.”