'It's not all about Goodes'
John Longmire isn't worried about Adam Goodes' extended absence, but Shane Mumford is close to returning
SWANS coach John Longmire had a blunt response on Monday to a number of questions regarding injured star Adam Goodes - he's still not fit and it's up to the rest of the team to lift.
Goodes - who tore his left quad muscle against Adelaide in round six and has missed the past three weeks - is at least another fortnight away from a return to full fitness.
The Swans have lost two of the three matches without their co-captain, against Richmond and St Kilda, either side of a 101-point win over Melbourne.
But in better news for the Swans, Shane Mumford has returned to training and is an outside chance of meeting the Western Bulldogs at the SCG this Saturday.
But Longmire seemed bemused about the number of questions about Goodes and whether he was the solution to the club's issues.
"I don't think it's all about Adam Goodes," he said.
"Adam Goodes hasn't played for a month and won't play for another couple of weeks.
"I'm less about Adam Goodes and more about the players who can actually do something on the weekend.
"It doesn't concern me too much because there's no point worrying about it."
He was also asked if Goodes would provide a quick fix to any possible worries in the midfield and up forward, and even if the Swans are a better side with the superstar in it.
"I think everyone acknowledges that Adam's a pretty reasonable player, but he's not there," he said.
"If you're a player looking across at the No. 37 locker waiting for him to pop out, he's not going to pop out for another couple of weeks.
"So we've got to get on with it."
After a flying start to the season, some cracks have started to appear in recent weeks, with the Swans dropping out of the top four following last Saturday's 28-point loss to the Saints.
Longmire said Matt Spangher is pushing to make his first appearance of the season and Tony Armstrong is a chance to play this week, but there is plenty of focus on their No. 1 ruckman and his ongoing back problem.
"A lot will depend whether Mumford gets through this week and we decide to play him seniors or reserves," Longmire said.
"That will evolve as the week goes on. At this point he's been able to do a little bit of training last Thursday, train with the reserves on Saturday, trained again today, and will do so again Wednesday and Friday.
"We'll see how he goes. He's no certainty yet, we'll just make sure he pulls up OK."
Regardless of team changes, Longmire is most keen to see a change of attitude, believing his side's effort was lacking against St Kilda.
"We'll look at changing the structure and maybe some personnel, but really it's about attitude," he said.
"When the opposition really cranked it up on the weekend, we didn't respond, and that was the most concerning thing.
"We've got to make sure we respond with the type of football we know we should."
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD