Sydney Swans coach John Longmire was tonight announced as the AFL Coaches Association’s Allen Jeans Senior Coach of the Year at a ceremony in front of over 600 people at Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

Voted on by his coaching peers, Longmire won the Award after guiding the Swans to this weekend’s AFL Grand Final in just his second year after taking over as senior coach following a long apprenticeship under Paul Roos.

Sydney Swans Chief Executive Andrew Ireland said Longmire had done a great job at the club since taking the reins at the end of the 2010 season.

“To take the Club to a Grand Final in just his second season is a great credit to John,” Ireland said.

“Everyone who is part of our Club has the utmost respect for John, and this award shows his peers share that respect which is a tremendous accolade."

On hand at the AFLCA Awards Night was Bloods Legend Bob Skilton who said the recognition of Longmire was testament to the character of the Swans coach.

“I think back to before John took over and I remember saying to him at either the Best and Fairest or the Jumper Presentation, and I said ‘As good as Roosy has been, we don’t want another Paul Roos, I want you to put your stamp on things’, and he’s done exactly that I reckon,” Skilton told sydneyswans.com.au.

“He’s altered our game plan compared to the way Roosy had them going and I have admired everything about the way he’s gone about it.

“He’s another one of our strengths I think.”

Longmire will lead the Swans into Saturday’s Grand Final against Hawthorn at the MCG, the club’s first appearance in a season decider since 2006.