Sydney Swans coach John Longmire addressed the media at the SCG on Monday afternoon.

Sydney lost to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday and is now set to face Essendon at the SCG on Friday night.

Here are some key quotes from the press conference.

Reflecting on loss to Lions

“It’s been a bit similar for the entire season; there are positives to come out of the game but not enough and not for long enough. We’ve got to make sure that whoever plays we play the core style of football we want to play. We haven’t been able to do that for long enough and we’ve been doing that in bits and pieces. Part of who we are as a team is playing the game right through and we need to make sure we do that.” 

Harry Cunningham’s fitness

“He’s torn his adductor so he’ll be out for four to six weeks. He’s been a really good player for us this year, so it’s unfortunate. He was important through our midfield and then when we lost Jarrad McVeigh we threw him back into our defence – and he did very well there as well. We have to find another replacement for our back six and it won’t be coming from Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy or Nick Smith.” 

Lance Franklin’s availability for Essendon clash

“We’ll see how he goes at training on Wednesday. He’s a chance. He did some running today, he did some running on Saturday in Brisbane and we’ll see how he is on Wednesday. We can’t give a yes or no just yet, but we’re going to give him every chance.”

Tom Papley’s courage in contest against Brisbane’s Oscar McInerney

“Papley isn’t exactly a man mountain, so going back and doing that is tough. Going into a big bloke and going with the flight of the ball and taking it on – it was an incredible effort. And then to get up and keep playing and kick a goal and still contribute was just as impressive. It knocked the stuffing out of him a little bit, but he got up and got going, which was fantastic.”

Daniel Menzel’s groin injury 

“If he gets through training this week he’ll be playing this week in the NEAFL. It would be good to see him run around. Obviously he won’t be playing the whole game, but it would be good to see him out there and getting going. We’ll get through the first game and see how he pulls up from that. It’d be good to give him a couple of games in the NEAFL where he gets into the swing of things and feels confident in his own body.”