Coach John Longmire has praised the commitment and heart of co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, who was one of the Sydney Swans best players yesterday despite facing difficult personal challenges. 

McVeigh played off the half back flank against St Kilda and managed to kick a great running goal and launch the ball inside 50m five times as he gathered 27 disposals.

His daughter, Luella, has remained in hospital with complications since she was born four weeks ago, and Jarrad said he was getting by with the support of his family and the club.

“It has been a hard month for my wife (Clementine) and I but you get thrown these things in life and our families are really strong together and we’re fighting through it but it’s still going to be a really long process,’’ he said.

Longmire said McVeigh’s commitment and courage were incredible. "I just think it's all heart what Jarrad's been able to do for us," Longmire said after the 15-point win over the Saints.

"He's turning up at the footy club and still training hard and still committing himself as a captain of the footy club.

"We know there's some significant challenges he's got with his family, and his ability to be able to do what he did today was incredible.

"He showed a lot of heart today."

McVeigh said he had received enormous support from his team-mates and the coaches. “They’ve been unbelievable, the coaching staff especially. The support I’ve received from the footy club and my family, it does really help,’’ Jarrad said.

“It is hard to spend 24 hours in a hospital every day for a month, so just to get out and run around is the best thing for me and takes your mind off it for a little bit and it is good to get around the boys and train hard and play on the weekend and then go back with my wife after that.’’

Jarrad said Luella was stable at the moment but “we’re still a long way away. There is still a lot of unanswered questions that we’re trying to get but it’s a work in progress’’.

He said it was an encouraging effort by his team-mates to get over St Kilda at ANZ Stadium yesterday.

“There was a lot of pressure from teams underneath us and after a poor performance last week we really wanted to make a stand and we did that,’’ McVeigh said.

“Our contested footy was a real plus today and we clicked as a team. As a team we get into a habit of not finishing off our good work so we have to keep improving in that area.

“We have to bring that effort next week (against Geelong) and hopefully last week (against Richmond) was a one-off.’’

McVeigh said the Swans needed to be more accurate in front of goal but their ability to win the ball was positive.

“We’re getting the footy in there which is a plus and we have to take confidence out of that. It is frustrating when we miss easy ones but we are putting the pressure on, and need to make sure it is scoreboard pressure.’’