And now the 29-year-old's standing in the game has been confirmed by the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, in which Swan sat at No. 4 after round four.
Champion Data's statistics show that since the start of the 2011 season Swan has reached 30 or more disposals in 34 games - six more times than any other player.
In that period, Swan has had more disposals than any player in the competition, with nearly 100 more than the next highest.
He has a good balance of how he wins the footy, ranking first in uncontested possessions as well as 10th in contested possessions.
Swan also ranks fifth for total clearances, second for total inside-50s and first in total metres gained.
"At his best, and when he's working hard, there's nearly no harder player to play on than Dane Swan," Carlton star Andrew Carrazzo told AFL.com.au.
The Official AFL Player Ratings will be launched on Thursday, May 9.
The ratings are the result of the most sophisticated, detailed and wide-ranging statistical system ever devised for AFL footy. Official AFL Player ratings will allow fans to determine where more than 650 listed players rank against each other.
A player's most recent 40 matches are used in the calculation of his rating.
If you are keen to find out exactly how the ratings work, you can read the initial FAQ here.
In the meantime, we are counting down to launch with a series of exclusive videos in which the top-rated players are discussed and analysed by those with a unique insight into their genius – their opponents.
Last Monday Carlton midfielder Chris Judd was revealed as No. 10, then on Tuesday Sydney Swans dynamo Josh Kennedy was unveiled as No. 9.
Blues skipper Marc Murphy was next up at No. 8, then Lance Franklin was No. 7, Jobe Watson was No. 6 and Cyril Rioli was No. 5.
Swan comes in at No. 4.
"He's got this ability to just turn on the speed whenever he wants," Adelaide gun Scott Thompson said.
"A player who reads the play so well, I think his footy smarts are underrated," Essendon skipper Jobe Watson added.
Make sure you log onto AFL.com.au on Wednesday to find out which player is No. 3
If you are keen to find out exactly how the ratings work, you can read the initial FAQ here.
* The top 10 that we are counting down in the lead-up to the launch of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, is how it stood after round four of this season.
