John Longmire spoke to the media in a press conference on Thursday (May 11) and addressed the team's strategy against Fremantle, a replacement for Peter Ladhams and Tom Papley's 150th game.
On securing another win
“Fremantle played really well last weekend. We need more consistency and finish off games strongly. We’ve given ourselves chances, we just have to finish it.”
On Fremantle
“Both teams have lost players from last year. Five came back on the weekend and they were in good form on the weekend. They were able to transfer the ball from one end of the ground to the other and kick big scores. They’re very efficient and effective forward line so we have to shut that down as well.”
On this week’s preparation
“It’s been about the consistency of a few things. A few weeks ago it was our contest and we’ve been able to get that better over the last two weeks. We’ve been improving all those aspects but our consistency in our game – sometimes it’s our forward entry, sometimes it’s easy goals scored against us – so we’re tightening that up.”
On the team list
“We will lose another two this week. Peter Ladhams won’t play, he got a knock to his arm in the first centre bounce last week, and Tom McCartin has had some symptoms from the game so we will be very conservative with him as well.”
On Tom Hickey’s return
“We have to wait and see what the team is but he’s a chance. So is Lachlan McAndrew in the ruck. We must make sure they’ve done enough and are ready to go.”
On Sam Reid
“Unfortunately, he’s out for the season. He played such an important and valuable role for us last year and had a ripping year – his best year of footy. So to not have hime available for a game is disappointing for him and us. He had some tendon damage in his hamstring and had an operation. He’s on the way to rehab but it’s disappointing.”
On the Swans injury list
“Ever since January it has been a challenge especially for our key positions and talls. Sometimes you go through those patches and that’s provided a couple of opportunities – there will be a couple this week - but you have to ensure the players with those roles are really confident.”
On Lachlan McAndrew
“His development has been fantastic. He’s getting better and better. He had a great preseason and this year he’s been terrific. Hickey played [in the VFL] a couple of weeks ago and played about three quarters but last week was his first real hitout.
“Fremantle will have a really strong ruck combination this week – Darcy and Jackson are probably the better ones going around. We’re weighing that up.”
On Dane Rampe
“He’s ok. He saw a specialist this week, he got a positive report so we’re hopeful that he doesn’t need an operation. He’s still not available for selection but he’s starting to feel better which is a good sign.”
On the Swans’ backline
"We've got three of our starting defenders out from last year but we’ve also got some experience we can put back there playing in different positions. There will be opportunities for others to come into the team this week and we hope that they’ll progress and keep going forward. There are some players that we’re confident in.”
On Tom Papley’s 150 games
“I remember calling Tom when we drafted him as a rookie. He was a 19 year-old and he was working as a plumber on a building site. To have him around the club as a 150 gamer and a life member is pretty significant when you consider what he’s done for us as a team. It’s an important day for him.”
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