TOM MITCHELL'S ability to tag Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell out of Friday night's clash was crucial to the Sydney Swans prevailing, according to coach John Longmire.
The young Swan held the four-time premiership star to a season-low tally of 14 disposals on Friday night and gathered 21 himself in the Swans' 14-point victory at the MCG.
The 33-year-old Hawk's lowest amount of disposals for the season before Friday night's clash was 26 (recorded in the past two weeks), but Mitchell's stopping job on the veteran was pivotal to the Swans getting over the line.
"He did a really good job on him and it's difficult to try and restrict his influence on the game. It's not an easy thing to do but Tom stuck to his task really well tonight. He's pretty strong willed and he did a good job," Longmire said post-game.
The 2012 premiership coach said although Mitchell has amassed the ball more in other games (including a 41-disposal effort last year), it was the 22-year-old's standout game for the club in his five seasons at the Swans.
"I think it probably would be [his best game]. It's not just about the possessions that Tom gets, it's about the work and dedication to the task that he was able to deliver tonight on a class player," he said.
"It was an enormous game from Tommy."
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Mitchell was one of many contributors in the important win for the Swans, who bounced back from their surprise after-the-siren defeat to Richmond last week, to beat the reigning premiers.
The Swans jumped to a six-goal lead and held the Hawks goalless for the majority of the first half before Alastair Clarkson's men lifted in the third term. A Jack Gunston goal early in the last term edged the Hawks within four points before the Swans responded to clinch the win.
Longmire was "thrilled" with the victory, which was the Swans' seventh of the season ahead of their meeting with the ladder-leaders North Melbourne next Friday night at the MCG.
"It was a real battle tonight as both teams really put on enormous pressure around the ball and at the contest. There was not a lot of free-flowing play," he said.
"Our pressure around the ball for the majority of the game was fantastic."
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Superstar forward Lance Franklin was pivotal for the Swans against his old side, booting three goals (including two crucial majors in the final term) and setting up a handful of others for teammates.
Franklin sat out last year's finals series as he dealt with a mental health issue, but the champion goalkicker leads the Coleman Medal and Longmire praised the 29-year-old for his leadership.
"He's been so consistent and his preparation has been outstanding. We've had a younger forward line at times this year and he's been steering them around. His willingness to share possessions and goals – he's just been fantastic," he said.
"He's in a good space and playing good footy."
The Swans' defence held up well against the dangerous Hawthorn forward line, particularly given they lost veteran Ted Richards to concussion in the first term.
Longmire said Richards, who only returned to the Swans' line-up last week after having a fractured cheekbone, was just "having a bad run at the moment".
