Swans' players were presented with their guernseys by club legends Bobby Skilton and John Rantall at the Hilton grand ballroom and Longmire took the opportunity to issue a rallying call on the eve of his first season as senior coach.
The Swans farewelled talismanic leader Brett Kirk, as well as long-serving coach Paul Roos, when their 2010 campaign ended with a narrow semi-final loss to the Western Bulldogs, but Longmire sees no reason why the club can't push further into September this year.
"Since the end of the 2009 season, 21 new players have joined the Sydney Swans. That is almost half our current list of 45 players and we believe it has created a sense of renewal and rejuvenation," Longmire said in his address to the 500-strong crowd.
"When I first addressed the players as their senior coach last November, I said that I had one main aim - that as individuals and as a team, we all had to improve. We all had to be better than we had been before.
"We had to have that at the forefront of our minds and to let it drive us every single day during the pre-season.
"I can be a hard marker, but I have seen evidence of that focus many times during the past five months."
While Longmire admitted the task of reaching the finals was a huge one, he said the strong pre-season preparations of players like NAB Rising Star winner Dan Hannebery right through to veteran captain Adam Goodes had given him cause for optimism.
Longmire has given opportunities to youngsters like Lewis Johnston, Gary Rohan and Jed Lamb over the recent NAB Cup/NAB Challenge series and he urged them to follow in the footsteps of best and fairest winner Kieran Jack, imposing ruckman Shane Mumford and former Hawk Josh Kennedy, who all had breakout seasons in 2010.
Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh took the stage to welcome the players who were given a Swans' guernsey for the first time, but he also warned them not to take the storied red and white colours lightly.
"It's easy to say that it's an honour to receive the jumper, but what is hard to do is to honour the jumper," McVeigh said.
"Receiving this jumper tonight is one of the best feelings you can have as a player. When you hold the jumper hold it with pride, hold it with passion and remember who has come before you.
"For our new players and families 'Welcome to the Swans' family. You are now Bloods and your journey begins'."
The Swans open their 2011 premiership campaign against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, March 27.
Jarrad McVeigh is a $339,300 midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
Adam Goodes is a $393,200 forward/midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
