Former AFL star Dane Swan made quite the impact in his Creswick debut at the weekend, playing all positions and hitting the scoreboard with three goals.
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The five-time All-Australian lined-up at half back to start the game, taking three intercept marks in the opening quarter and picking up plenty of the footy.
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He moved to his customary spot in the midfield in the second half and transitioned forward, kicking three goals and keeping the Wickers in the game throughout the third term.
Club president Phil Judd told The Courier he was impressed with Swan's contribution on the field.
"He wanted to play half-back to start with," he said.
"Then we threw him in the guts and the forward line.
"I thought he went quite well, obviously we didn't get over the line, it blew out a bit in the end.
"Well worth it for the day, great for the club."
Fans flocked to Doug Lindsay Reserve to catch a glimpse of the Brownlow medalist and took the chance to get autographs and pictures.
Judd said it was a successful day for the club off the field.
"It was really good, a good crowd in which was good for us," he said.
"I think we probably had about 1500 people here."
Swan and former AFL player manager Ricky Nixon hosted a sportsman's night at the club post game, a raging success according to Judd.
"We had a full house, as many as we could with Covid obviously, I think we had 160 (there)," he said.
"The sportsman's night was great, Ricky and Dane were both really good and well received and they were fairly down to earth sort of blokes.
"They opened up to everyone about their (lives) which was quite interesting."
Judd said there was a possibility it could be organised again in the future.
"Could happen more often, definitely," he said.
"He loved it here. We got a bit of feedback from them saying it was one of the best they've been to and he's played at.
"In regards to the sportman's night, (he said) it's probably the best crowd he's had.
"There was quite a bit of money spent with memorabilia and stuff like that, it was huge, above expectations."
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