SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire has heaped praise on his new-look squad for their persistence and determination in overcoming a more experienced Greater Western Sydney line-up.
While the ninth instalment of the Sydney derby went the Swans’ way by 25 points, it was a close-run affair for most of Saturday afternoon's contest at the SCG.
Longmire said the work of the Swans' senior players - Lance Franklin kicked four goals, Luke Parker had 30 touches and claimed the Brett Kirk Medal - helped lift a host of more inexperienced players in the team.
"What's been the consistent over the first three weeks has been our good players, our leaders, our senior blokes have been playing pretty well so that's always make it easier for those younger kids to come in and play their role," Longmire said after the match.
"Both teams probably had the same amount of games played.
"We probably has more players under 20 games than what the opposition did. Probably a fair bit more actually."
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Indeed a look at the team sheet showed the Swans had six players with fewer than 20 AFL matches to their name - Isaac Heeney, George Hewett, Zak Jones, Callum Mills, Tom Papley and Daniel Robinson.
By contrast, GWS had just one, big man Rory Lobb.
Longmire said the Swans' persistence made the difference, ensuring the club maintained its unbeaten start to the season.
"That was a good win because things didn't quite go right and they are a good team," Longmire said.
"I didn't think at times we were super but we always kept coming back and won some important contests at critical times, when they seemed to get a run on, and stopped their momentum. That was important.
"They are a good side and we knew we wouldn't get it our own way coming into the game so while there's a few things we think we can get better at, to be able to find a way to win like that against a really good team, we were really happy with it."
Longmire said Lance Franklin's four goals showed he was in good touch after a strong pre-season. The big man was also providing leadership for what the coach described as a young forward line.
"He is another one that has a good pre-season so he's banking on that and getting the benefit of that," Longmire said.
"It's been a young forward group that we have had up there and at times we probably didn't look as good as what we could have tonight but he was able to straighten things up and help us with that."
Longmire said co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, who has been out with a calf injury, was training well and would be considered for next week's clash against the Crows in Adelaide.
"He was pushing hard to play this week and I imagine he will be pushing pretty hard this week to get back and play," Longmire said.
However, Sam Reid was still a little bit away from being considered and will only start running this week.
