Losing another AFL Grand Final is tough enough, but John Longmire had a few extra challenges thrown his way during a tense post-match press conference.
Saturday’s heavy 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) defeat to the Brisbane Lions dropped Longmire’s grand final record as coach of the Swans to 1-4.
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He won a flag in 2012 in just his second year at the helm, but has since lost deciders to Hawthorn (2014), the Western Bulldogs (2016), Geelong (2022) and now Brisbane
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While Longmire is occasionally seen losing his cool in the coach’s box or with his players, he is typically very measured when addressing the media.
But you got the feeling it was taking all of his remaining energy not to blow up on Saturday in a highly disrupted media call.
“Clearly disappointment,” Longmire began in his press conference, which you can see in the video player above.
“I don’t think we gave it our best shot compared to what we’ve been doing.”
That’s when the first of many distractions occurred, with late journalists coming into the media room at the MCG.
The problem was the room was in close proximity to the rowdy Lions change room, with all manner of screaming and yelling heard whenever the press room door was opened.
“And we didn’t do what was required on the day,” Longmire tried to continue before another interruption.
“Are there any more coming?” the increasingly bewildered coach said over yet another huge roar.
“Any more? Do you want us to wait? Are there any more coming in?”
When order was restored for a brief time, Longmire faced some prickly questions about his team selection and his record in the biggest game of the year.
When asked about that lone grand final victory, he replied: “It’s not about me, mate, it’s about the footy club.”
The Lions then began belting out their team song next door right as Longmire was asked about Logan McDonald’s injury issue.
In similar scenes to the Cats grand final two years ago with an injured Sam Reid (adductor), young key forward McDonald (ankle) carried an injury into Saturday’s game and was subbed out just after halftime without having any impact on the contest.
“I haven’t spoken to the medical staff yet, he obviously wasn’t moving that well,” he said.
“(But) he did everything he was required to do (during the week). He trained a hundred per cent, he pulled up fine.”
Asked another question, a bemused Longmire could only say “sorry?” as he couldn’t hear the journo after another interruption.
He was asked about pride in his club for at least managing to beat 16 other teams by making it to grand final day.
“It’s a hard thing to do,” he said. “We would much rather get in the ring and have a swing than be standing outside looking in.
“Ultimately, we’ve been able to get ourselves in a position of having an opportunity.
“We didn’t get it done today. We didn’t pass the test.”
He was also asked about his team’s ability to bounce back and have another crack in 2025.
“We’ve got a group of people right across the footy club that’s able to do that,” he insisted.
“We’re disappointed, there’s no question about that. It’s a very difficult challenge to stand there on grand final day and win, it’s (also) a really difficult challenge to get there.
“This footy club’s been pretty resilient to be able to show the ability to get back there time and time again. Very hard to win it if you’re not in it.”
Longmire had time for one more “sorry mate, I can’t hear you” before giving credit to Chris Fagan and the job he had done with the victorious Lions.
After the conference had ended, Sam Squiers did her best to sum up the mood on Fox Sports.
“Yes it was a downcast, disappointed and somewhat damaged John Longmire after that 60-point defeat,” she said.
“Yet another heavy defeat in a grand final for the Swans.
“You can’t underestimate just how difficult that was for him with, in the background, he could keep hearing the Lions celebrating.
“He was quite tense at the start, he looked a little bit peeved when people kept opening the door and coming in because he could just hear those celebrations getting louder and louder.
“Not too many answers there that Swans fans can hold on to.”
Her colleague Jim Callinan replied: “I don’t think he could really come up with any answers because he doesn’t know how it quite went that bad so quickly.
“A degree of shellshock perhaps, John Longmire there.”
While he now has only a 20 per cent winning record in the Big Dance, Longmire and the Swans have a remarkable ability to haul themselves back into contention year after year.
It would surprise nobody if the Bloods are back on this stage again in 12 months’ time.
Source Agencies
