Sydney Swans boss makes telling call amid doubts over John Longmire's future at AFL club
Longmire's Swans position has been called into question following the 60-point defeat to Brisbane.
Swans boss Tom Harley has refused to confirm that John Longmire will remain Sydney's coach beyond next year after they fell to a fourth straight AFL grand final defeat under the veteran coach. Longmire is out of contract next season and his position in charge of the Swans has come into question following the 60-point loss to Brisbane in the decider.
The defeat to the Lions marked the fourth consecutive grand final loss for the Swans, following losses to Hawthorn in 2014, the Bulldogs in 2016 and Geelong two seasons ago. And asked on Thursday if the Swans were considering a fresh start, Harley refused to give a direct answer. "We're not putting our minds into that space at the moment," Harley told SEN radio.
"We've been having conversations about 2024 all year, 2025 all year, and beyond so certainly not getting hung up on timelines as to when we dive into what it looks like beyond the current contract situation. He's (Longmire) absolutely hurting but in terms of his commitment to the club ... he's in. We've worked together for 10 years and he will process (the grand final loss) and that will take time. We all just need to acknowledge and respect that."
Dean Cox tipped to succeed John Longmire at Sydney
Swans assistant coach Dean Cox has been widely tipped to succeed Longmire if the premiership coach decides to step down or is moved on. The West Coast legend ruled himself out of the vacant Eagles job in September, stating he was happy with his life in Sydney.
And there's speculation he could become the Swans head coach as early as next season, with Longmire said to be weighing up his future at the club. Longmire was already considering if it was nearing time to step down from his post before Saturday's brutal loss and that defeat has only sparked more questions.
Longmire himself was handed the reins by Sydney's 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos after the 2010 season. And while many believe a similar plan is in place for Cox, Harley smacked down those claims. "No, there's not (a succession plan)," Harley said. "Dean's an absolutely exceptional assistant coach at the moment, and certainly he has senior coach aspirations. Dean is very happy doing what he's doing and playing a supporting role."
Swans in list shake-up after grand final misery
Meanwhile, the fallout from the Swans' latest grand final heartbreak has begun with Luke Parker set to leave the club after formally requesting a trade to North Melbourne. There is understood to be a three-year deal on the cards for the Swans great who was part of the Swans’ 2012 premiership side and has played in the club’s past four straight final defeats.
Parker claimed three best and fairest awards, was named All-Australian in 2014 and was co-captain of the club from 2019 to 2023 but will seek pastures new for 2025. And while he is unlikely to be the only Swan headed for the exit in the AFL trade period, the immediate focus of the Swans is trying to prevent Chad Warner from leaving as well. Warner is out of contract at the end of next season and Fremantle are reportedly chasing the Western Australian but he is seen as a priority to keep in Sydney.
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"He's (Warner) a seriously good player, a game-changing player, and we all saw what he's able to do this year in different roles," Harley said. "He's clearly a very important piece of our future going forward. He is contracted for next year, that's the positive part. We would love him in red and white for the rest of his career. We'll be doing everything that we possibly can to help him see that his future is at our club."
The Swans have also ruled out a move for Bombers forward Jake Stringer, saying they are focused on keeping as many of their current playing group as possible rather than looking to make moves during the AFL trade period.
with AAP
