Sydney Swans coach John Longmire and Captain Josh Kennedy have fronted the media ahead of Saturday’s elimination final against Essendon.

The pair discussed the side’s preparation for their eighth consecutive finals campaign that kicks off this weekend.

See some of the key quotes from John and Josh from today's media conference.

John Longmire
On the bye weekend ahead of finals
“We trained on Saturday so we had a good hit out. Our reserves played on Saturday as well so It really wasn’t a weekend off. It was just business as usual. In the end all teams are in the same boat.

Sam Naismith’s progress
“He did quite well. He played 80 minutes, ran the game out really strongly and his ruck work was really solid. He ended up pulling up well and he feels good today. He is a chance as are a number of others. The reserves had another fantastic win and they are through to another grand final which is terrific news for them. We will sit down as the week progresses and we will work out the best team to sit down and face the Bombers. He has been training now for a few weeks, he was doing competitive training last week so to get through that game on the weekend and pull up well is a really good sign.”

Tom Papley and Dan Hannebery return from injury
“We expect them to do some training tomorrow, train again on Thursday and at this point we would expect both of them to be available. They both ran on the weekend so they are going to do some training tomorrow. They pulled up really well from the weekend’s blowout so all things are looking towards hopefully they will be fine.”

Depth of the side this season
“We had six debutants in the first five weeks on top of seven debutants we had last year. We try and make sure we continue to develop those younger players, provide them with opportunities at senior level as well as trying to win every week. It is not an easy balance but we try and do it every week. This week is no different. We will try and make sure we go out and be as competitive as we can against a really good team. Whether you have played on final or 25 you need to put your best foot forward in the high pressure stakes.

Josh Kennedy
Message to players ahead of the finals
“What has kept us in good stead throughout the course of the year should keep us in good stead for this week. It will be a narrow focus specifically on Essendon and looking forward to the game.”

How the younger players will handle finals
“The benefit that we have got at the moment is that we have a number of experienced players in our team. Not just me but a lot of guys that have played in finals so those conversations will be happening right through the week. At the end of the day you can talk all you want but once you get out there it is a different ball game. We just have to make sure we are playing the best footy as a team that we can be so that will be the focus heading into this weekend.”

Are you surprised to have made finals after a poor start?
“There was always belief that we were good enough if we could put it together. We haven’t reflected on it too much because now we are in the finals and it is about what are we going to do about it. We have got this opportunity and now we just have to try and play our best footy because if there is anything that this year has taught us it is that if you are a little bit off any side can beat you. It is going to be a pretty exciting September no doubt. We just have to make sure we are playing good footy for four quarters.”

The do or die nature of this weekend’s final
“One thing that will hold us in good stead is that if we are a little bit off we know we can get rolled by anyone but on the flip side if we play our best footy we know we can beat anyone. That element in keeping us on edge will keep us in good stead. It is one thing to be able to stand here and say it and another to actually get out there and do it.”

First finals series as captain
I feel the same responsibility that I have in previous years. To be able to play well and take confidence in the leadership group and senior players around us. It is going to take every one of us to get it done it certainly won’t be one player that will get it done.”