Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has played down his side's ominous start to the season, despite an 80-point smashing of Collingwood at the SCG on Saturday night.
The home side had 43 shots on goal, 31 more inside 50s than the Pies and, if not for some poor finishing, would have won by triple figures.
It was a stunning result given the fact the Swans played a trio of debutants for the first time in 26 years, and had co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, Ted Richards, Ben McGlynn, Sam Reid and Gary Rohan all missing from the side.
Longmire did allow himself a brief and uncharacteristic moment of excitement after the win.
"To see our season start off on that note, I was absolutely stoked," he said post-match.
But the 2012 premiership coach then reverted to his usual straight bat approach when asked if the performance had silenced some of his club's pre-season doubters.
"It's only round one," he laughed.
"I thought our pressure was really good but it's one game, we go to Carlton next week and that's all we're worried about.
"What the talk is outside the footy club, we've never had too much concern about, it's about our processes inside the footy club and making sure we play really good, two-way football.
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Callum Mills, George Hewett and Tom Papley – who was elevated off the rookie list on Thursday - settled into senior footy well and all had an impact on the result, especially in the first half when the Swans kicked 10 goals to one, with seven of those unanswered in the second term.
Longmire said the effort of his youngsters was particularly pleasing.
"It was terrific, it was the youngest side we've had in for a long time," he said.
"11 players, so that’s half our team, had played 50 games or less, and I thought they helped set the scene early our younger kids.
"(Tom) Papley's kicked three (goals) and put pressure on up front, (Callum) Mills has had 18 (possessions) and looked really comfortable at half-back or midfield, and 'Georgey' Hewett set up a coupe of goals for us and kicked one himself.
"For those kids to be able to do that in round one, a big pressure game, was a real credit to them."
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