Sydney Swans coach John Longmire put a smile on the faces of more than 400 students at a country Victoria school on Wednesday.
The Swans mentor spent two hours at Sacred Heart Primary School in Yarrawonga, answering a call from early in the year from a die-hard seven-year-old supporter of the red and white.
It saw Longmire, who grew up in nearby Corowa 46 kilometres away from Yarrawonga, address the students with an important message and dig in to Swans history and the current Sydney list.
He also handed out scores of sunglasses, caps and a host of other merchandise, while he wound back the clock to discuss the day he faced Swans great Tony Lockett in a one-on-one match-up in North Melbourne colours.
Sacred Heart Primary School teacher Jilian Mulally said Longmire taught the kids a highly important lesson.
“The really clear message he gave was that any kid from anywhere in Australia can make the AFL if they work really hard and really want it,” Mulally told Swans Media.
“In a nutshell, it’s not beyond anybody to reach the AFL if they have the dedication and desire. That was a really great message for all the kids to hear.”
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