Swan 'in great nick': Jolly

Darren Jolly wrestles with Collingwood's top draft pick Brodie Grundy at Magpies training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darren Jolly says he has no problem with the off-season behaviour, or fitness, of star teammate Dane Swan.

The club was last week forced to defend Swan after media reports that he had been "a law unto himself" since the Magpies' season ended.

Swan joined teammates at Melbourne Airport today to fly out to the club's high-altitude training camp in Utah.

Jolly said he had no reason to be concerned about the Brownlow medallist.

"Everyone has been away on holidays. He's off doing his own thing, I was off doing my own thing and everyone is doing their own thing," he said.

"He's come back to training really well and he's in great nick, he's running really well, so I don't think anyone's got an issue with that at all."

Forward Andrew Krakouer is making his first trip to the US after his assault conviction caused Visa problems in previous seasons.

The Magpies' free agent, trade week and draft recruits are all on the plane, but new fathers Nick Maxwell and Alan Didak are staying home.

Alan Toovey is also missing the trip as he recovers from a wrist injury.

Ben Hudson, who has joined the club as a part-time ruck coach and is set to be added to the playing list in the pre-season draft, is on the plane.

Jolly told the AFL website he didn't expect to play every game next season with the arrival of Hudson and highly-rated draft pick Brodie Grundy.

"I think gone are the days you can play out a full year. It's just impossible," Jolly said.

"You need to manage your players and we've certainly managed our players. I've been managed, which has been really good to get through the year unscathed and make sure you're flying at the end of the year.

"I'm sure we'll do that again this year and the club has probably got a plan with a number of players that they'll look at managing through."

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