The match, which will be first time Port Adelaide have played at the SCG in more than three years, will see the third-placed Swans battle a Power outfit that has lost just one match this season.
With the completion of the redeveloped Adelaide Oval, the Power have enjoyed the support of more than 50,000 loyal fans at most games this year, playing in front of numerous sell-out home crowds.
Speaking to media ahead of the Swans’ first training session of the week, Longmire said he hoped that Swans fans could replicate a similar atmosphere at the SCG, in a match that is on track to attract the club’s biggest crowd this season.
Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide tickets
“Everything points towards what’s hopefully going to be a great contest and it’s fantastic to know that tickets are selling fast and that it could be a bigger crowd than what we had against Geelong,” Longmire said on Tuesday.
“It will be great to get a huge crowd here.
“Port Adelaide has played in front of some big crowds, so it would be great to play in front of as big a crowd as we can get at the SCG.”
This week’s clash is expected to be one of the Swans’ toughest to date, with the Power on an eight-game winning streak and sitting two games clear atop the AFL ladder.
Longmire said Port Adelaide’s depth of talent all over the field has been their strength this season.
“Port Adelaide is a team who obviously have had a sensational season and have had a sensational two years,” the coach said.
“They’ve got some players at the moment that are in absolutely red-hot form that are playing fantastic football all over the ground – forward, back and midfield - for them.
“They are a very strong unit and if you look at all the indicators, clearly the team that is on top by two games is going to be at the top of all the major stats, which they are.
“They’ve got some really exciting players and they’ve been able to strike a reasonably consistent patch as well.”
One player in outstanding form is Power forward Chad Wingard, who has booted 24 goals for the season and has been the side’s most dynamic small forward this year.
Wingard has also proven himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents, with the 20-year-old submitting his entry for mark of the year with a huge grab over St Kilda defender Sean Dempster last weekend.
Longmire described Wingard, who was named All-Australian last season, as one of most talented young players in the league.
“He’s quite unique,” he said.
“If anyone saw that mark he took on the weekend it was an absolute beauty.
“He’s a terrific talent, an absolute top-end talent, and if he gets in a one-on-one contest whether it’s on the ground or in the air, he’s very hard to beat.
“He’s quite a unique talent and our defenders are going to have their work cut out trying to look after him.”
Dan Hannebery celebrates in front of the Swans Cheer Squad against Geelong at the SCG in round 11
