In summary:

Backman Dane Rampe was pivotal to the Swans’ successful push for finals football in 2018, providing enormous contribution with and without the footy in hand.

The vice-captain was consistently assigned to the opposition’s most imposing key forwards and regularly held his own, quelling the influence of the likes of Tiger Jack Riewoldt, Eagle Josh Kennedy and Cat Tom Hawkins.

Rampe again also showed his invaluable ability in cutting off the opposition’s go-forward and moving the ball without blemish from defence.

He averaged 17 disposals, five marks and five rebound 50s per game and operated at 80 per cent disposal efficiency.

Rampe’s supreme durability also shone through, with the 28-year-old playing every one of the Swans’ 23 games this season.

He formed part of a rock-solid back six alongside experienced trio Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith and promising duo Jake Lloyd and Aliir Allir.

What the numbers say:

Games: 23

Kicks: 231

Handballs: 155

Disposals: 386

Marks: 123

Tackles: 55

Rebound 50s: 112

AFL Fantasy: 65.3 (average)

Best performance:

Round 13: Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles, SCG

Rampe’s impressive season made difficult work of picking a stand-out performance. The 2016 All-Australian collected 28 disposals and 10 marks as Sydney edged North Melbourne in Round 17, before posting 28 touches and 11 marks in the thrilling win over Collingwood in Round 20. But it’s hard to ignore his instrumental role in the Swans’ hard-fought 15-point win over the Eagles in Round 13. While Rampe gathered just 11 possessions, he disposed at 90 per cent efficiency and kept Kennedy to just two goals, earning one Brownlow Medal vote for his starring display.

What they said:

Assistant coach Dean Cox

“He’s got a long, penetrating kick that can clear an area and get a lot of pressure released off you. But his ability to play tall and small is also invaluable, as is his change-up and what he can do within a game if there’s a Dangerfield or Martin ‘resting’ forward or playing out of the goal square. His ability to match up on them as well as of course Hawkins, Kennedy and the like brings so much. He’s a pretty versatile player.”

In pictures:

'Three, two, one, jump': Dane Rampe and Aliir Aliir celebrate the Swans' gripping win over the Roos in Round 17.

'Welcome to AFL footy': Dane Rampe and debutant Colin O'Riordan lap up the emotion of the thrilling win over the Roos in Round 17.

Dane Rampe sends the Sherrin long in the Swans' heart-stopping victory over the Pies in Round 20.