The Sydney Swans have claimed a 40-point victory over Fremantle, their fourth consecutive victory, at Mectrion Stadium in Round 19 this afternoon.
The Swans started the first quarter slowly, however a rise in intensity and pressure around the ball saw the Swans click into gear.
Coach John Longmire said he was pleased with his side, who responded and rose in pressure situations when required.
“Our pressure rankings in the second quarter went through the roof,” Longmire said.
“Fremantle had a lot to play for and they were going hard in the first quarter. We weren’t quite up to that normal pressure around the footy that we like to apply but in the second quarter we were able to lift in a significant way.
“We got a lot of pressure around the ball and we were able to get some reward off the back of that.”
“We are going to have different dips during the course of the game, and we need to respond when we get the opportunity to,” Longmire added.
“We have been able to do that, respond when we need to, so that has been a really pleasing part”
Longmire also praised forward Isaac Heeney, who continued his good season.
The forward kicked five goals, and had a crucial intercept hanger that sparked the Swans in the second quarter. His grab sparking a three-goal run that saw the Swans take a three-point lead into the half.
Heeney finished with five goals for the match.
“Isaac played a good game. It was a turn over to be able to put himself in that position to get that turnover first and foremost,” Longmire said.
“He has talent, we all know that. He played a very good game.
“He has had a pretty reasonable year. He kicked a few goals a few weeks ago up front, and then today, he was all over the ground and doing it everywhere. He played a really strong game.
The side was once again without a handful of players including Callum Mills and Harry Cunningham, who were still quarantining following last week’s news that saw them classified as a Tier 2 contact.
Longmire remained proud of his side for the resilience shown over the past fortnight, coming away with two wins.
“The group has a fantastic ability to be able to concentrate on the now and not get concerned too much about other things,” Longmire said.
“There have been some uncontrollables all over the place, for five-six weeks now, and they have been able to put it aside when they need to and get to work when they need to. That has been really impressive.”
The Swans got through the match without any injury concerns but will be sweating on the Match Review Officer’s verdict on a clash involving Lance Franklin and Luke Ryan in the second term.
After Ryan tackled Franklin and the ball over the boundary line a frustrated Franklin threw an elbow backwards, hitting Ryan under the chin and stunning the Dockers’ defender.
The umpire awarded a free kick to Ryan and he was able to play out the match, but Longmuir said after the match that his defender "has got a sore jaw".
Swans coach John Longmire was seen talking to Franklin on the interchange bench minutes later but said that wasn’t related to the incident involving Ryan.
"I had limited vision from where I was sitting on the bench. I saw the marking contest but I didn't see anything else other than that," Longmire said.
"I was just talking to [Franklin] about the course of the game, just making sure we keep the ball in our front half.
"I talk to the players a lot so I can't remember what that specific conversation was about other than us just wanting to keep the ball in the front half."
