STALLED contract negotiations between the Sydney Swans and star midfielder Tom Mitchell might have come as a shock to the footy world, but coach John Longmire isn’t fazed by the situation.
It had been widely reported that the 23-year-old was close to signing a new contract with the club, but Mitchell’s management put talks on hold this week, with the two parties unable to agree to terms during the Swans’ mid-season break.
Mitchell has played all 13 games this season and is in career-best form, averaging almost 28 possessions per match as part of the Swans’ star-studded midfield.
Match preview: Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs
Longmire, talking before training on Tuesday at the SCG, said he wasn’t overly worried Mitchell hasn’t put pen to paper more than halfway through the final year of his existing contract.
“I’ll leave the footy club to work that out with his manager. It’s not something I get too heavily involved in,” he said.
“I’ve got enough concerns with looking at the team every week and the Doggies this week, without getting myself involved in those discussions.
“He’s a really good player and he’s had a terrific season this year, but the club will work through that with his manager.
“It’s always ongoing and that will take its course as the year progresses.”
Veteran Ted Richards and fellow tall defender Jeremy Laidler loom as likely inclusions ahead of this week’s crucial clash with the Western Bulldogs, with the pair’s experience crucial to the Swans’ backline set-up.
Richards missed three games with concussion but returned through the NEAFL before last week’s bye, while Laidler was a late withdrawal from the Swans’ round 13 win over Melbourne with a knee injury.
Laidler was on light duties away from the main group on Tuesday, while Richards trained strongly, and Longmire said the fitness of the duo, plus the make-up of the Bulldogs’ forward line will come into consideration when he picks his 22.
The Dogs have used Jack Redpath as their main tall target inside 50, alongside ruckman Tom Campbell or Jordan Roughead, with the likes of Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson and Caleb Daniel providing the variety at ground level.
Longmire said the Dogs' forwards were an “exciting” group, but he was more interested in their midfield, which has the best contested footy differential in the competition.
“Their numbers are absolutely through the roof, they’re almost double everyone else’s to this point in the season,” he said.
“They’ve obviously added ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore) to the mix (this season) and he’s a really strong contested ball player.
“You need to be really switched on and react really quickly to get across the ground and make sure you’re not outnumbered at the contest.
“They’re one of the most exciting teams in the competition, they’re hard to score against and I’m sure we’ll be in for a real battle.”
Star ruckman Kurt Tippett made a brief appearance at the SCG with a full-length pressure bandage covering his right leg.
Tippett had surgery on his injured hamstring tendon in Melbourne last week, but has already started stationary gym work as part of his rehabilitation.
The Swans are confident the 29-year-old will be fit to return to the field before this year’s finals.
