Sydney Swans Coach John Longmire had plenty to discuss when he faced the media ahead of training on Monday morning.

See the key quotes from the senior coach below.

Ted Richard’s concussion
"We'll wait and see how the week progresses. We'll see how he goes on Wednesday before we make any decisions, but obviously we're not going to take any risks. It gets down to what the doctor says, in conjunction with Teddy."

Sam Reid’s return to footy
"He'll certainly play at some level. The likelihood is he'll come back through the reserves and get some game time there, but our condition and medical staff are really confident that he can play big minutes this week based upon what he's done over the last six weeks. He's a very important player for us. We'd like him back in the senior team as quick as we can, whether that's this week or not we'll have to have that discussion."

Countering North Melbourne’s forward line
"They've got a very good marking forward line, North Melbourne. They've got some terrific options in that front half but primarily they're marking targets, and they're not only marking players but they're good pressure players as well. They're a very good team, so we have to restrict the times it gets in there to give our defenders the best possible chance."

North Melbourne’s start to the season
“They have played a consistent brand of footy and they are a very even team. They have done everything right to this point so they deserve to be sitting where they are.”

Heath Grundy’s performance against Hawthorn
“He has had a really good year. He didn’t play as well he would have liked in the Richmond game but he has had a really good year. We thought he bounced back really well last week. He knows he has had a good year, he knows he is confident in himself and he was very good on the weekend.

Excitement ahead of this week’s game
“We are playing the team on top of the ladder, in very good form on a Friday night at the SCG. We would expect a big crowd here and we are looking forward to that. To be able to open the weekend with the Marn Grook game at the SCG we are really looking forward to that.”

On how big Friday night’s game is.
“It is a big game you can’t deny that. It is a big game for both teams. It is a real test for both teams. You get tested every week in AFL footy, we have been tested over the last couple of weeks and we will get tested against this week. They are well clear on top of the ladder playing super football and they are the form team in the competition at the moment so we are looking forward to that test.”