SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire has expressed his disappointment in Michael Talia's arrest for drug possession, but vowed to continue to support his player.
Talia was stopped by police in Sydney's eastern suburbs early Sunday morning and has been charged with being in possession of a quantity of a prohibited substance, alleged to be cocaine.
He will appear in Waverley Local Court next month.
Talia has not played football at any level since the opening round of the season due to a foot injury suffered in the Swans' round one win over Collingwood.
Longmire said he hadn't yet had a chance to sit face to face with the former Bulldog, but stood by the club's decision to stand Talia down from training and club activities.
He also reiterated that the 23-year-old would still get the support he needed from the Swans.
"Michael was injured, coming back, and getting ready to play again in a couple of weeks, so it's disappointing that he put himself in that situation," Longmire said on Tuesday.
"We've had a number of people speak to Michael and his family, particularly in the last 24-48 hours, and that will continue.
"He's got people at the football club that have spoken to him a number of times, whether it's to do with welfare or other services.
"People make mistakes, but my role as coach has been to re-focus the players on the playing of Carlton this week as quickly as we can, and that’s what we've talked about."
Longmire defended the performance of star forward Lance Franklin in last week's disappointing five-point loss to Hawthorn at the SCG.
The three-time Coleman medallist gathered 19 possessions, took six marks and had six inside 50s against his former side, but failed to kick a goal for the first time since round eight last season.
"I think he played alright," Longmire said.
"If you're talking just (in terms of) goals, he didn't kick a goal but he contributed to quite a few.
"He was up the ground a bit and it's one thing to look at the goals contributed, but it's also good to look at the goals he was actually able to assist.
"If he kicks too many goals there's too much of a reliance on him, if he doesn't kick a goal, it's not enough."
The Swans will take on the Blues without attacking defender Zak Jones, who mill miss the next 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.
Jones cut a forlorn figure at training at the SCG on Tuesday, with the 21-year-old hobbling around on crutches.
Young star star Isaac Heeney gathered 29 possessions and kicked two goals in the NEAFL on Saturday, in what was the 20-year-old's first game back after being rested for the Swans' clash with Geelong in round 16.
Longmire said Heeney would be looked at to replace Jones in defence.
"That's a possibility," the coach said.
"He's very versatile and played really well on the weekend in our reserves.
"He was really lively through the midfield, he played forward, but we also know he's capable of playing back because he's so good overhead.
"Whether it's a couple of players that have been playing that role really well in the reserves, or just a change of roles in our senior team.
"We've got a few options but we haven't made the decision on who takes that role just yet."
