SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire has praised the way co-captain Kieren Jack has handled a tumultuous week off the field ahead of his 200th game on Friday night.
A private dispute between the Jack family became public knowledge on Monday and has overshadowed the milestone, forcing Jack to address it on Wednesday before training.
Jack's partner Charlotte Goodlet and his younger brother Brandon have also been dragged into the spotlight surrounding the issue.
Longmire said Jack has carried himself well despite the situation, and backed the 29-year-old to continue his strong on field form and show off all his leadership qualities when the Swans meet Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
"Kieren (Jack) will be fine," he said.
"We obviously support Kieren, Brandon and Charlotte; they've handled it very well this week.
"I'm sure he would rather it had played out a little bit differently but it hasn't; some things are in your control and some aren't.
"He's mature enough to handle it, he's an experienced player, he's a leader of the footy club and he can focus on the football.
"I think we can all move on from it to be honest, it's had plenty of airplay.
"Those matters should be kept private, they weren't, but from the perspective of the football club we move on, and I think everyone should probably move on."
The Swans travelled to Melbourne with an extended squad for the crucial clash with the Cats, a match between the second- and fourth-placed sides, who both have 10 wins this season.
Given Geelong's band of tall forwards and athletic big men, veteran Ted Richards and fellow key defender Aliir Aliir look the players most likely to come into the 22.
Richards has played the past two matches in the NEAFL after recovering from concussion, while Aliir was dropped for last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs despite an impressive showing against Melbourne before the club's mid-season bye.
Longmire said adding more height in his back half was one of many considerations he would take to the selection table, and with the Swans' reserves playing in Canberra on Saturday, he has the chance to take plenty of options to Geelong in case there's a need for late changes.
Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Mark Blicavs, Shane Kersten, Zac Smith and Lachie Henderson have all played forward for the Cats this season, with Mitch Clark a chance to add to that mix this week after strong form in the VFL.
"They're the number-one marking side inside their forward fifty in the competition, so we're fortunate we've got a couple (of key backs) in our reserves that have been playing quite well," Longmire said.
"One younger player in Aliir (Aliir), and one older player, or mature player in Teddy (Richards).
"We've got an option there but we'll weigh all that up when we get to Geelong, look at the conditions and work out what the final team looks like."
Small forward Tom Papley could also be a handy inclusion against the Cats to add some speed and ground level pressure inside 50.
The Swans' forward line struggled against the Bulldogs, and Papley showed a natural goal sense and kicked 11 goals in his eight games earlier in the year.
The 19-year-old came off the rookie list for the season opener and was a fixture in the Swans' best 18, earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round five, before he missed four weeks with shin soreness.
Papley, who has played the past two games in the reserves, had 16 possessions and kicked two goals in last week's NEAFL win over NT Thunder at the SCG.
