Career
Swain went to Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth, the same school as Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue & Tom Learoyd-Lahrs. Australia
Swain made his first grade debut in 1997, playing for the new Hunter Mariners club With the demise of the club at the end of the year he moved south, joining the Melbourne Storm.
Swain never missed a game for the Melbourne Storm from the club"s first ever match in round 1, 1998 up until his final game for the club in round 26, 2002.
Swain declared his eligibility for New Zealand in 1999 and was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis for that year"s ANZAC Test. Swain was selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.
In the final against Australia he played at hooker in the Kiwis" 22-20 loss. Swain went on to play in nineteen tests for his country, including at the 2000 World Cup.
Swain was named the Storm"s player of the year in 2001.
Swain also the first player in the National Rugby League to top 1,000 Tackles in a season and was also Super League"s "Top Tackler" in 2004 with 907 tackles for Hull. He went on the 2002 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France and was the goal-kicker and leading point-scorer of the tour. Swain spent 2003 with the Brisbane Broncos before joining Hull for four years in the Super League.
England
Swain played at hooker and was a major part in Hull winning the 2005 Challenge Cup as it was his last gasp charge down of Kevin Sinfeild"s drop goal attempt that destroyed Leeds last chance of taking the game to Extra Time.
Hull reached the 2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against Street Helens RLFC and Swain played at hooker in his side"s 4-26 loss. Swain retired half way through the 2007 season due to a back injury.