Coach Nathan Buckley wouldn't be drawn on what it meant to beat the Mick Malthouse-led Carlton, and instead took more out of toppling an opponent that had troubled the Pies in recent times.
But Dwyer, in his second AFL game since his elevation to the senior list just over a week ago, said there was a special feeling associated with the win after the Pies trailed for much of the afternoon against such a strong rival.
"You don't like to build yourself up too much, and the club didn't want to build it up either, but you know that the old rivalry, Carlton-Collingwood, you could feel there was a bit of extra feeling in the game," Dwyer told AFL.com.au.
"The roar of the crowd, they were getting into it so much, it was an amazing feeling.
"Everyone just built themselves up and it was the real character of the boys to fight it out."
Dwyer, 26, was a story himself with 23 disposals (14 contested), five inside 50s and a goal.
After spending eight seasons at Port Melbourne in the VFL, he was rookie listed by the Pies in December and then elevated for the injured Tim Broomhead on the eve of round one.
With Broomhead (glandular fever) listed at eight weeks away from resuming, Buckley admitted the Pies could face a "Damien Peverill situation" where Dwyer could undeservingly end up being forced back onto the rookie list.
In 2001, Peverill was elevated to Essendon's senior list after Joe Misiti was injured. He played nine games and became an important part of the Bombers' midfield before Misiti's return saw him return to rookie status after round 12.
But Buckley said Dwyer was doing all he could to embrace his current opportunity.
"He was clearly one of the cleanest and most effective players on the ground today and it's great to see him rewarded for his efforts," Buckley said.
"There are plenty of different ways, paths you can trek to get to this opportunity and he can't do anything about the path he'd tread to get here, but he can do something about the opportunity he's got and that's exactly what he's doing."
Dwyer said he wasn't sure why it had taken him so long to find his way onto an AFL list, other than the fact he "just wasn't up to it" when it came to clubs and their recruiting.
He said the leadership of Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres had helped in his development and improving his football every year before his dream came true in December.
"I guess last year was probably the last real chance it was going to happen, so thankfully I got the call up to Collingwood and I've just got to do my best to contribute," he said.
"It's an amazing feeling. I thought the window of opportunity to be picked up was closing on me.
"I've dreamed of playing AFL my whole football career so to play in front of 85,000 today - it was just an amazing feeling."
Sam Dwyer is a forward/midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
