SYDNEY coach John Longmire has dropped a possible Freudian slip that could suggest he is considering taking on the vacant North Melbourne job.
Longmire's appearance on Fox Footy's AFL 360 on Monday night did little to resolve discussions about his coaching future.
In fact, the Swans coach's responses only added further fuel to suggestions he is poised to accept a godfather offer to return to Arden Street.
Asked where he would be next year, Longmire answered cryptically.
"Where do you think I'll be?" he asked.
Pressed on this point, he provided a potential clue to his intentions.
"Well, we'll have to wait and see … I'm absolutely contracted to the North, to the Sydney Swans Football Club," Longmire stumbled.
In the process he made either a Freudian slip or an innocent slip of the tongue. In any case, it set tongues wagging.
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"I have been there for 18 years," Longmire continued, barely batting an eyelid.
"My commitment to this football club is very strong and I am absolutely doing the best job of my ability. That's all I've got to say on it."
He'd said plenty and precious little at the same time.
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Longmire has another year to run on his contract with the Swans. Asked whether he believed in contracts and whether he would honour his, the 48-year-old pointed to his record of loyalty.
"I've had contracts for 18 years almost. I'm not sure there's been too many at any football club that's been at the one club for 18 years. And my level of commitment speaks for itself, I'd suggest," he said.
If Longmire was to return to North, he would replace the departed Brad Scott and interim coach Rhyce Shaw, a former protege of his in Sydney.
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Longmire played 200 games and kicked 511 goals for the Kangaroos from 1988-99, winning a premiership in his final game.
After a long coaching apprenticeship with the Swans, he was appointed as Paul Roos' successor for 2011, winning a flag in just his second season in the job.