“The fog from our Grand Final disappointment is starting to clear.”

That was the final word from senior coach John Longmire during his post-season address to hundreds who attended Thursday night’s Bob Skilton Medal count.

Longmire, while thanking everyone at the football club for their efforts and fans for the invaluable support throughout season 2016, couldn’t hide from the Club’s second grand final defeat in the space of three years.

And who could blame him? Five days does little to heal the wounds of losing the all-important final game on the footy calendar.

But, with his head held high and with a sense of resilience in his delivery, Longmire was already looking ahead to what the experienced coach believes will be a brighter future.

Seventeen wins and five losses – three by under a goal – during a season in which seven debutants were blooded gave Longmire a reason to smile with the rapid emergence of number of those young players laying a strong foundation for the Sydney Swans to be a contender once again in 2017.

“I’m sure like all our players and coaching staff, you’re also filled with mixed emotions,” Longmire told guests at The Star Events Centre.

“It’s difficult to get the balance right between the disappointment of Grand Final day and giving a brief summary of our season.

“It was almost my most enjoyable season as coach, but…

“Clearly there’s an extreme level of disappointment…I feel for our supporters, staff and players. Eight minutes to go there was one point in it, unfortunately we don’t get the game back.

“(But) at last year’s Club Champion speech I spoke of two aims for season 2016 – consistency of performance and to play a competitive brand of finals-type football whilst blending in the next generation of Swans players.

“It’s hard to argue that this wasn’t achieved.”