Longmire readies for battle
Swans coach John Longmire is set for an intense struggle against Collingwood on Friday night
SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire is confident he will have his side fit and in the right frame of mind for Friday night's preliminary final against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium.
While Collingwood was involved in a fierce, pressurised elimination semi-final with West Coast on Saturday, the Swans had the week off following their qualifying final triumph over Adelaide.
Longmire confirmed the expected news that Ben McGlynn (hamstring) won't play his week, but he believes the rest of his side will be refreshed and ready for a Pies outfit it hasn't beaten since 2005.
"We had a good session on Saturday and the players obviously watched the (Collingwood-West Coast) game and they'll have a good training session today and another one on Wednesday," Longmire told a packed media contingent on Monday.
"We think we'll be able to make sure the players' minds and bodies are well into the game.
"The physical aspect of this week's game can't be underestimated. It will be a battle and that's what our players are preparing for.
"They've got back to some of that real pressure football that Collingwood are known for and we expect an intense, pressure game of footy."
The Swans have lost 11 straight games against the Pies, including an eight-point defeat at ANZ Stadium in round 20 this year.
Adding to the Swans' headaches, Dane Swan didn't play that game due to a club suspension and Dale Thomas sustained an early leg injury before being subbed out in the second term.
After a quiet end to the season, Thomas exploded into life in a match-winning three-goal cameo to start the second half against the Eagles, and it certainly caught Longmire's attention.
"I always have concerns when the opposition are playing well and the opposition's talented players are playing well," he said.
"Daisy Thomas, that third quarter burst that he put on, just shows you the talent that he's got.
"He didn't play much against us last time and Swan didn't play, so their midfield has been strengthened since last time we played them."
Collingwood has some injury concerns ahead of the match, with Chris Dawes (knee) and Alan Didak (calf) both in some doubt.
Longmire will prepare his players for scenarios involving both Dawes and Didak being in or out of the Collingwood side.
The Swans coach will also spend the week running the rule over the line-up he feels will give them the best chance of ending their Magpie drought.
"We've got Heath Grundy to come back in and we just have to look at the mix and the balance of the team," he said.
"Heath will come straight back in and what else we put around that, we're still yet to settle on that.
Both of the Swans' training sessions are closed this week, in an attempt to keep the Pies guessing.
"Opposition spies have always got little ways of putting on a moustache and fake glasses and getting into a training session," Longmire said.
"We'll do our best, but we're not 100 per cent confident."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD