In fact, Longmire used the term "work rate" no less than nine times in his seven minute post-match press conference to leave no doubt as to his feelings about the 14.16 (100) to 10.11 (71) loss at ANZ Stadium.
"It was just a work rate issue," he said. "We just didn’t work hard enough, when we had the ball and when they had the ball.
"That's usually a part of the game that we're pretty good at, we just didn't do it very well.
"We had more scoring shots than them at halftime (14-12), we kicked one goal five in that second quarter, which didn't help us.
"(In) the first half we didn’t capitalise on our opportunities and they made us pay and then the second half they just worked really hard.
"The second half was all about work rate."
Despite missing a raft of key personnel for large parts of the season, including Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Sam Reid, Longmire didn't feel the Swans' youth had caught up with them.
Instead, some of the Swans' leaders, including Kieren Jack, Ryan O'Keefe and Josh Kennedy, were a little bit down on their usual output.
"(Our youth has) probably been a strength for quite a while and our experienced players have generally been pretty good," Longmire said.
"There were probably a few collectively who didn't have great ones tonight, but they've been consistent over a long time.
"I didn't think the youth was a factor."
Had the Swans prevailed on Saturday night, it would have left them 10 points clear of fifth place and just about assured of ending the season in the all-important top-four.
But the loss leaves them a little vulnerable with games against Geelong and Hawthorn to follow next week's clash against St Kilda at the SCG.
Longmire gave the impression he was prepared to cut his players a little slack for a rare off day, which came on the back of a six-game winning streak, but knows they need to bounce back quickly.
"They've been pretty good, but you have to keep being pretty good every week," he said.
"That's what we have to do, that's what every team has to do.
"You have to be the best team you can every week no matter what's gone before you.
"Our blokes have been pretty consistent and pretty good for a fair while.
"Hopefully tonight is something we can review and work out what we did right and wrong and move onto the Saints next week."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_JD
