Fresh from signing a new contract extension with the Sydney Swans, Senior Coach John Longmire today announced he had re-shaped and strengthened his coaching panel for the 2012 season.

Former Sydney Swans and Geelong player, Henry Playfair, has been elevated to an assistant coaching role.

Swans’ 2005 Premiership player Jared Crouch will take responsibility for the Swans’ Reserves as Playfair, 28, vacates that role to become the Club’s forwards coach.

Crouch retired at the end of the 2009 season after playing 223 games for the Swans, including 194 consecutive games.

Dual premiership player Stuart Dew, who was defence coach for the Swans in 2011, will move into a new role as stoppages coach. He replaces Mark Stone, who left to work at the Fremantle Dockers.

Leigh Tudor will remain as assistant coach responsible for the midfield, while John Blakey will move from the forward coaching role to take over as defence coach.

Senior coach John Longmire said he was also pleased to announce that George Stone will take on a senior role as Development Coach.

“George is very highly regarded in the football community and has a wealth of experience. He is one of the people I really wanted on board because of his knowledge and track record of developing young players,’’ Longmire said.

“I believe we have now got very good depth and wide-ranging expertise in our coaching group.

“We are under no illusion about the improvement we need to make for the 2012 season and that is a challenge for the coaching group and the playing list.”

Swans’ General Manager - Football, Dean Moore, said the changes were a great boost for the football department.

“We have a strong and talented group of coaches who we know will work well with John to do all they can to bring out the best in each and every player,’’ Moore said.