SYDNEY Swans coaching co-ordinator John Longmire says the prospect of coaching his former club North Melbourne isn’t on his radar at the moment.
With the Swans mired in a four-game losing streak, Longmire told sydneyswans.com.au that he was concentrating on his current role.
“At the moment, I’m just trying to make sure we win a game of footy and get back on to the winners’ list,” he said on Wednesday.
“That’s my priority and all my energy and focus is on that at the moment.
“Hopefully we do it against my old team – that’s what we’re faced with this week and that’s what I’m going to try and do.”
Longmire has been listed among the leading contenders to replace Dean Laidley, who quit his post as North Melbourne’s senior coach after round 12.
With a coaching apprenticeship spanning seven largely successful seasons at the Swans, the 39-year-old has been declared ready for a senior job by Swans mentor Paul Roos.
The prospect of the former North Melbourne premiership player and Coleman Medallist returning to coach at Arden Street is a romantic notion but Longmire said nothing would distract him from his job in Sydney.
“It doesn’t become a distraction to me at all. I just go about my business here and make sure I’m helping Roosy out and help the players prepare as best we can,” he said.
Longmire’s former teammate, Darren Crocker, was appointed caretaker coach at North Melbourne and guided his side to a spirited 22-point loss against the Western Bulldogs in his first game in charge.
Longmire said he kept in regular touch with Crocker and was delighted that he had been given the chance to show his coaching wares.
“I was rapt that Crock got the opportunity that he’s got at North. I’ve spoken to him since and I think he’ll do a very good job of it,” he said.