The 32-year-old will leave with a premiership, Brownlow Medal, three best and fairest awards and five All Australian selections to his name.

Swan noted the 2010 AFL Premiership win over St Kilda as his greatest achievement in the game. 

“I remember a moment and we were circled around the MCG at 7pm and the cleaners were in the stands and we went around one by one and said what winning the premiership meant to us,” he said.

“After that the alcohol kicks in and it is a bit hazy (laughs).

“We had a five-year reunion last year and it felt like we had just won it yesterday.

“The relationships I have made and the friendships mean just as much to me and hopefully they can continue.

“I was lucky enough to spend half my life here and is by far and away better than anything I have done.”

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley credited Swan for a sterling career.

“That injury was about the only thing that was going to stop him,” he said.

“Some discussions took place about whether he would have any capacity to play again after surgery and it was just a matter of letting it settle.

“I told him we want you to play on and go around again but there are no guarantees he would have be able to get around let alone play footy.”