John Longmire said science had trumped sentimentality in the decision to take star forward Joel Amartey from the ground after his nine-goal haul during Sydney’s 42-point victory against Adelaide on Saturday.
And the Swans coach was amused at suggestions by commentators that as a former North Melbourne full forward who kicked 14 goals during his 41st game, Longmire had been ensuring Amartey didn’t better him during the young gun’s 41st match.
“That was back in the black and white [television] days,” Longmire said, laughing. “I don’t think it’s ever made the videotape. My best game never made it on tape, so it actually could be a myth. Who knows?”
The real reason Amartey had been taken from the ground twice during the last quarter, Longmire said, was that since his selection in the 2018 rookie draft, Amartey has never managed a full pre-season of training due to constant injuries.
Players leaving the field after kicking goals is usually due to a planned rotation, with breaks for a re-start often the best time to make changes, Longmire said.
“It seems like that because that’s the cameras on them for that moment [they kick a goal],” Longmire side. “Joel came off in a pre-arranged rotation about the 15-minute mark of the last quarter. He kicked the goal just before and he just happened to come off right away.
“So, sometimes it’s just almost a coincidence that the camera goes on that player after he’s kicked the goal and he comes off. That’s a pre-arranged rotation, and you got to have those rotations because if you don’t, you’re playing the whole quarter.
“Your output as a player gets reduced, then you put them at risk with injury. So it’s something that we’re doing to help us as a team be better and also help the player get through the game and be more effective as the game goes on.”
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