Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said today that the Club would be with Jarrad and Clementine McVeigh “every step of the way’’ as they face the tragedy of the death of their baby daughter Luella.

Longmire said Jarrad and Clementine were obviously very upset but “remarkable considering the circumstances’’.

The coach called the players to the club yesterday afternoon to let them know that Luella had passed away, just over four weeks after she was born on July 25 with a heart condtion.

Longmire said Jarrad’s strength during the past month had been a lesson for everyone at the club.

Jarrad missed the game against Essendon, which was soon after Luella’s birth, but played in subsequent matches against Richmond, and then St Kilda last Sunday.

Against the Saints he was close to best on ground, running off the half back line and setting up numerous forward forays.

“Jarrad gave us all a really good lesson last week about worrying about what you can control and focusing on the moment,’’ Longmire said.

“Jarrad last week was going through difficult times and he was able to focus on the moment, worry about what he could control and performed that way, which was remarkable.

“We can all take something out of that, as players and coaches, to focus on the moment and support Jarrad and Clementine. Then we come to training today and focus on preparing as best we can and then head down to face a formidable opponent in the Cats on their home deck which we’re really looking forward to,’’ Longmire said.

He said he was confident the playing group would respond to the challenge of a week that had been very difficult for the club.

“It is about everyone making sure they pull their weight. I’m sure that will happen and they will do that. We have a very strong group of players who are able to focus on the moment and worry about playing Geelong at Geelong. It is one of the great challenges in footy and it is our test this week to go down there and put our best foot forward and focus on being as competitive as we can.’’