Sydney Swans coach John Longmire spoke to the media ahead of our Round 2 clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
We take a look at some of the key quotes from the coach leading into our first match in Melbourne.
On Ted Richards’ injury…
He’s tracking pretty well. He has been training for a number of weeks now and played 70-80 minutes in the NEAFL on the weekend. He pulled up really well from that.
You’d have to say he’s a chance with (Michael) Talia going out, but we look at the opposition’s team and whether he’ll play or not we haven’t finalised that decision but he’s the logical choice.
Ben McGlynn is also coming back into the frame.
On Dan Hannebery’s concussion…
He’s fine.
He pulled up well, from what I understand, so we expect him to play.
He didn’t finish the game off but we were lucky in a sense that we didn’t really need him to which was good.
Our doctor made the decision (to take him out of the game) and we absolutely support that.
On Jarrad McVeigh’s status…
He’s okay. His knee is actually quite good which is terrific. He was tight in the hamstring which put him back last week.
He’ll be training for the rest of the week and next week. We haven’t made a decision (on his comeback) whether it’s next week or the week after.
As long as his hamstring holds up, he’s not far away.
McVeigh to come back through the NEAFL?
I haven’t approached that with him just yet. I’ll tip-toe around that until I have to have that conversation.
I’ve known him a long time and he’s a quality leader of this football club. He knows himself better than anyone so we’ll have that discussion at some point.
On Lance Franklin’s return…
Lance pulled up really well. He started well, within the first 10 seconds he had hit the scoreboard.
He copped a knock on the shoulder which was sore for a period but he’ll be right to go for Sunday.
He enjoyed the experience of working with our young kids in the forward line and they appreciated the experience he was able to provide them.
On the debutants’ performances…
Tom Papley bought enormous forward pressure. His fall of the ball pressure in our front half and his press around the ball carrier was super plus he hit the scoreboard so the combination of that was superb.
George Hewett has been waiting in the wings for a couple of years now. He has built up his strength and his ability to play for four quarters. He has got great composure and he had seven tackles which were all effective.
Callum Mills played mainly half-back and on the wing, he’s hard at the ball and uses the ball really well.
All three of them bought something different to the table. Above all, all of them bought enthusiasm and that spreads along the older players.
I’d expect them to be playing this week – all three of them.
We’ve got some decisions to make over the coming weeks (in regards to older players coming back) but we’ll address that when we need to.
On Carlton…
The have a different playing style (to previous years),
Whether you look at Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson… they’ve got a lot of experience then throw in Jacob Weitering and Patty Cripps they’ve got quality depth.
When we played them a couple of weeks ago they played well. I’m sure they’re going to surprise a few teams this year.
We’ve got to prepare for their best (on Sunday), and we will.
