Longmire lashes Swans' effort in crushing loss to Cats

Sydney coach John Longmire has questioned his players' effort as they capitulated to a nightmare 93-point loss to Geelong in the AFL grand final rematch.

Sydney Swans AFL coach JOHN LONGMIRE speaks to the media during a press conference at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Sydney coach John Longmire has criticised his players for a lack of effort in their demoralising 93-point defeat to Geelong in a lopsided grand final rematch.

The Swans had another nightmare outing against the Cats, after being humiliated by 81 points in last year's decider at the MCG.

On a night Geelong unveiled their 10th premiership flag in front of them, an undermanned Sydney were blown away in eerily similar fashion to the grand final.

The 20.10 (130) to 5.7 (37) trouncing was the Swans' heaviest defeat in 289 games under Longmire, eclipsing the 89-point belting to Hawthorn in 2015 as they added a meagre 0.3 in the second half.

A fuming Longmire uncharacteristically questioned the Swans' willingness to compete during the match at GMHBA Stadium.

"We needed to push back and compete harder than that. Normally we show a bit more than that so it was disappointing," he said.

"It just wasn't the standard that we normally apply or the standard the game really requires.

"I think the inside-50 differential probably in the second half wasn't that great but the ability for Geelong to score when they went inside forward 50 and the lack of ability up the other end was stark.

"When it gets to that stage, it's pretty simple. You just need to get yourself in the game by having a few more contests.

"We just dropped away far too easily which is which is a disappointing aspect."

Longmire refused to use Sydney's lengthy injury list as an excuse for the performance that led to them dropping out of the top-eight.

The Swans were missing defenders Tom McCartin, Paddy McCartin and Dane Rampe, as well as veteran forward Lance Franklin and fellow talls Joel Armatey and Tom Hickey.

Co-captain Callum Mills was even taken out of the midfield to play on colossal Geelong forward Tom Hawkins.

"The game doesn't care, you've got to compete," Longmire said.

"Whether you're not old enough compared to the opposition, or not big enough or strong enough, the game doesn't care.

"You've to get to be able to get to the level that the game requires, that the opposition demands and that's where we fell short.

"That's what we're faced with, our situation means now we've got our All-Australian midfielder at fullback."

Teenager Matt Roberts was added to the casualty ward after suffering a suspected medial injury to his knee during the second quarter.

Longmire was unsure if the Swans would regain any of their key personnel for next week's Sydney derby against GWS.


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