DUAL Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes might have get used to starting as the Swans' substitute – and the champ won't have a problem with it, coach John Longmire says.
Goodes began Saturday night's 48-point win over Port Adelaide in the green vest, having been subbed off the previous week against Essendon after nine possessions in two and a half quarters.
While the move of starting the club great as the sub caught many off guard, Longmire says the 35-year-old will do whatever is best for the team – even if it means not playing at all.
"He's been in our best 22 for the last two weeks and we've had two good wins. Whatever role Adam's asked to play he plays it, and he is understanding of that," Longmire said on Monday.
"I think whether it's the sub role or not playing every week, that will evolve over the course of the season, but we're not focused on that too much at the moment."
Longmire also fired a quick jab – with a laugh – at former Swans champion Jude Bolton, who told Channel Seven on Sunday that Goodes' decision to play on in 2015 could have been a mistake.
"Jude might have a short memory. People were saying that about him in 2012, and he went on in 2013 and played a lot of football," Longmire said.
"We understand that training every day of pre-season and playing every minute of every game is not going to happen with him, and I think that's just the smart way to manage him throughout the year."
Goodes had the best seat in the house in Adelaide as the Swans responded to their slow start in round one against the Bombers by thrashing Port with their brand of intense, pressure footy.
While Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Josh Kennedy led a rampant midfield unit, it was his side's hard work inside attacking 50 that most impressed Longmire.
Dynamic goalkicking duo Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett shared 27 possessions, 11 marks and four goals against Port, but remarkably, also laid eight tackles apiece.
The Swans have long been a high-pressure side under Longmire and his predecessor Paul Roos, and it seems Franklin and Tippett have bought into the club's culture.
WATCH: Tippett tackle gifts Hannebery a goal
"To have your key forwards leading the way with their pressure when the opposition have got the ball is a good indicator," Longmire said.
"We constantly talk about it internally. It's not about goals, although they're always important, it's about your application when the opposition has got the ball."
Longmire's men take on cross-town rivals – and fellow undefeated side -Greater Western Sydney this week, and the coach knows just how big the derby will be, in his side's first game at the SCG in 2015.
"We've been saying for a few years they're a really talented list, one of the more talented list we've seen assembled in AFL football," Longmire said.
"They're also a really hard-working team, they compete fiercely, and they run extremely hard. Anyone who saw that third quarter on the weekend saw them at their best as far as what damage they can do."
"Their midfield group is incredible, they've got players like Ward and Mumford who are really tough, but their kids have learnt the game that way as well, so they're a really challenging team."
