SYDNEY coach John Longmire has reaffirmed his commitment to the Swans after a weekend of talk linking him to the North Melbourne coaching job next year.
Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott parted ways with the club after Saturday night's win over the Western Bulldogs, leaving Longmire's former assistant Rhyce Shaw to guide the team for the rest of the season.
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Even before Scott's sensational departure, Longmire has long been talked about as a Roos target given he won a premiership, a Coleman Medal, and played 200 games over 11 seasons with the club, but he remains tied to the Swans until the end of 2020.
Speaking at his weekly news conference on Monday, Longmire batted away questions regarding a potential approach from his former club.
"I'm contracted," he said with a laugh.
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"I haven't been offered any job because I've got a job at the moment at the Sydney Swans.
"I'm just saying how it is, I'm contracted to the Swans.
"I've got Geelong in Geelong this week and we've just come off (a game against Collingwood), so there's enough on my plate getting the Swans organised without worrying about any outside noise."
The Swans are hopeful that Longmire's current deal will be extended before the end of this season, but the coach wouldn't be drawn into any more talk about his future.
"I'm sure those discussions will happen at some point, but my focus is on Geelong this week," he said.
"I've got nothing much more to add to that really."
Sydney's trip to the Cattery has been made even tougher with news that co-captain Josh Kennedy will miss at least the next two matches with a knee injury.
Longmire said the star midfielder is expected to be back after the bye for the Swans' round 14 clash with Hawthorn at the SCG.
In better news for the Swans, young onballer George Hewett has pulled up well from a head knock he suffered against Collingwood on Friday night and is clear to face Geelong, where he'll likely get a job on gun Cat Tim Kelly.
George Hewett cops one high during the Swans' clash with the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos
Former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has thrown his name into the mix to replace Kennedy after he booted five goals in his second game back in the NEAFL last week.
Menzel missed most of the pre-season while he recovered from groin surgery, but has now played two reserves games after being in full training for the past few weeks.