“Our training, I thought, over the last two weeks was excellent. We trained at a really high standard, really sharp, really hard, prepared ourselves to play well. That’s what we’ll be concentrating on this week, is enjoy the preparation part. Our training, our meetings, our reviews – all of those things we did well over the last two weeks. We need to apply that methodology coming up to this week.”
Longmire will be facing some difficult selection calls, with his experience around picking Reid two years ago likely to stick in the back of his mind as he contemplates the dilemmas in front of him. They start with his captain Callum Mills, who trained strongly on the morning of the match and will be seeking to prove his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury at training last week.
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Forward Logan McDonald rolled his ankle on Friday night but played out the match; the early indications are that he should be OK; however, the real test will be how he pulls up.
There is a small possibility Dane Rampe could face a suspension for a high hit on Port Adelaide star Zak Butters in the first quarter, but since he wasn’t concussed, a fine is anticipated to be the likely punishment – if there is any at all.
Then there’s the hard luck story of Taylor Adams, who sought a trade to the Swans in the summer after being left out of Collingwood’s grand final side last year due to injury. He was dropped ahead of Sydney’s qualifying final win over the Giants and, barring injury to another midfielder, is likely to be on the outer again – a situation Longmire can relate to, having missed North Melbourne’s 1996 and 1998 grand finals.
“I’ve been there as a player a couple of times, both with injury and non-selection, so absolutely you do [feel for him], but his attitude’s been terrific,” Longmire said of Adams.
“He was out on the ground tonight and soaking in the moments. We’re not sure what happens this week, and so just keep working and see how the week progresses.”
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