John Longmire is looking forward to tapping into Jarrad McVeigh’s “great football brain” when the senior coach hands over the reins to his co-captain for Saturday’s NAB Challenge opener against Port Adelaide.

McVeigh has been sworn in as head coach for the clash at Blacktown International Sportspark, a one-off and unprecedented move inspired by a desire to strengthen the communication between the leadership group and coaching panel.

Longmire says having the 266-gamer calling the shots will present an opening for the leaders to “take charge and be at the coalface”.

“It’s a great opportunity for Jarrad and our playing group in general,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to have Jarrad in the coaches’ seat for the day and work with our leaders on the ground to help get those messages across as to what needs to happen during the course of the game.

“It’s all about practicing and rehearsing for the situations that occur during the year.”

After 12 seasons of AFL football – five as captain – McVeigh is one of the most experienced player in the side.

He also ranks fifth in the most games played of any Swans in history.

As well as the strategical benefit, Longmire is also looking forward to seeing what may be unearthed when the 30-year-old ingests the game from a different perspective.

“He’s a really smart footballer,” Longmire added.

“He has been captain of this football club now for quite a number of years, he’s an experienced player he’s got a great football brain and is an important leader of this football club.

“It’s a great opportunity to put into practice some of the theories the players have got in regards to coaching so I’m sure they’ll enjoy that experience.

This input from the leadership group isn’t a ground-breaking idea given both the premiership captain and his counterpart Kieren Jack are part of the Swans’ Match Committee and have a big say on team selection.

As much as McVeigh will hold the official title on game day, the entire coaching panel will be in the box to support him throughout the match.

“It’s always a team environment, the coaching that’s done these days. It’s very much a team dynamic,” Longmire added.

“Obviously all of the assistant coaches will be in the box anyway, we’ll be there to support him. But this is really just an extension of that.”

McVeigh, fronting the media on Tuesday, was non-committal on whether he held coaching aspirations post-football.