Longmire says patchiness isn’t complacency

By Tony Salerno

Sydney has defeated both expansion clubs, the GWS GIANTS and Gold Coast Suns, in the opening two rounds of their title defence.

Swans coach John Longmire admits his side has been patchy but says the calibre of opposition is not the reason for their slow start.

“I just think, to look at the opposition and consider there is any easy games of football is just incorrect,” Longmire said.

Longmire used the Suns’ round one upset as proof the younger sides are bridging the gap their more experienced counterparts.

The Kangaroos are another one of the competition’s younger sides but are in a different phase of transition –  trying to go from the middle of the table to title contenders.

The Kangaroos have faced competition heavyweights Collingwood and Geelong in their first two matches but are primed for another big test having taken the Cats to within a kick in Round 2.

“As we’ve seen from GWS and Gold Coast the older those younger kids get…the better they become and the more confidence they get,” he said.

Early season inconsistencies plague every side but the coach puts Sydney’s down to a lack of pre-season cohesion.

“We probably had a couple of players who played a bit more footy in the pre-season last year… but I think we are about where we should be at the moment.”

The Swans have shown glimpses of their premiership success, kicking four unanswered goals in their season-opening quarter and booting six goals topple the Suns.

“I thought the first quarter against the GIANTS and the last quarter last weekend was a good a footy as we’ve played for a while,” he said.

“I think we’ve been building on some form and I’ve seen some good signs as well that’s our challenge to stretch that out to four quarters.”

Longmire knows his side will need be more consistent but says victories are the most important feedback.

“To come out and have two wins, first two games of the season is exactly what we are after.”