Horse

[0918330512]

Sorry waswan, I think you’re wrong there. He was good enough to get his own ball most of the time- no leash was ever needed or applied.
He left for more money-it was obvious- he was always an automatic pick in our team, not a 5th beatle!

True and so what? If someone offered me the pay rise he got, I’d quit in a heartbeat. It’s his career and he can do what he wants to make the most of it.

Not happy he went, but I don’t begrudge his motives.

[Blood Fever]

Whispers around the Murray where Horse grew up are that a mutual decision has already been made and Horse is heading back to Victoria next year

Not sure how reputable the rumours are (or whether locals are just parroting media reports) but have now heard from multiple sources

Big river - which part of the banks are the whispers being heard?

[caj23]

Big river - which part of the banks are the whispers being heard?

LOL

About 40kms east of Corowa

Completely unverified at this point in time so take with a grain of salt, but has come from multiple sources

[Blood Fever]

LOL

About 40kms east of Corowa

Completely unverified at this point in time so take with a grain of salt, but has come from multiple sources

On a serious note, Longmire has always struck me as someone who would walk if he thought his time was up. Honest, straightforward person with good character.

[caj23]

On a serious note, Longmire has always struck me as someone who would walk if he thought his time was up. Honest, straightforward person with good character.

Absolutely BF

I don't think anyone is questioning his character, from all reports he is a gentleman who is very popular in the AFL world

[Markwebbos]

This is probably worth a read:

The problem with Sydney: John Longmire talks to Damian Barrett - AFL.com.au

Strange strange article. Looks like stuff cut and pasted from various Longmire press conferences!

This might be the only worthwhile bit.

Longmire: "We made decisions to trade out, to look at youth like McInerney and Rowbottom, to give those kids a chance, but what we didn't anticipate was the unavailability of those experienced players. That has exaggerated the challenge."

[stevoswan]

This is probably worth a read:

The problem with Sydney: John Longmire talks to Damian Barrett - AFL.com.au

Strange strange article. Looks like stuff cut and pasted from various Longmire press conferences!

This might be the only worthwhile bit.

Longmire: "We made decisions to trade out, to look at youth like McInerney and Rowbottom, to give those kids a chance, but what we didn't anticipate was the unavailability of those experienced players. That has exaggerated the challenge."

Not a bad article and the point about the amount of experience out injured at the moment seems lost on some....we have had no luck and it's all happened quickly.

How quickly we bounce back depends largely on how we approach the rest of the year. This years gone.....don't try and save it, plan for next year by being bold at the selection table and sensible about what positions players play in. It's all about next year now.....

[Markwebbos]

Not a bad article and the point about the amount of experience out injured at the moment seems lost on some....we have had no luck and it's all happened quickly..

What I took from it was "We made decisions to trade out, to look at youth ... to give those kids a chance”

As in we’ve deliberately chosen to jettison experience in favour of youth, with all that entails.

[Blood Fever]

What I took from it was "We made decisions to trade out, to look at youth ... to give those kids a chance

As in we’ve deliberately chosen to jettison experience in favour of youth, with all that entails.

Barrett has gone easy on us and Longmire. Know for a fact that he is a North supporter so has probably known him for a while.

[Roadrunner]

I don’t begrudge him leaving for more money. The point I was making is that Horse wasn’t holding him back regarding his football and obviously wanted him in the team.

[caj23]

I don’t begrudge him leaving for more money. The point I was making is that Horse wasn’t holding him back regarding his football and obviously wanted him in the team.

I think he definitely left for more $$$$, but I don't think anyone other than his inner circle could comment on whether Horse's coaching also contributed.

Yes he was a guaranteed starter each week, but we don't know for example if he wanted more game time in the centre square and was offered that by the Hawks, he felt that he wasn't treated fairly, or there was a personality clash. That kind of thing happens all of the time in football clubs.

It's all just supposition and I don't think we'll ever really find out.

[liz]

I think he definitely left for more $$$$, but I don't think anyone other than his inner circle could comment on whether Horse's coaching also contributed.

Yes he was a guaranteed starter each week, but we don't know for example if he wanted more game time in the centre square and was offered that by the Hawks, he felt that he wasn't treated fairly, or there was a personality clash. That kind of thing happens all of the time in football clubs.

It's all just supposition and I don't think we'll ever really find out.

I've always summised that it was mostly opportunity that persuade Tom to move. I know you can't believe everything (or even much) of what you read on in the internet, but the figures that were suggested the Hawks offered weren't that large. Probably larger than the Swans' offer to him but not obscenely so. I was actually a little surprised that another club, like the Saints or Carlton, didn't step in and make a far more substantial offer (with the room they must have had in their cap) once he delayed re-signing and it became apparent he was gettable.

Tom was clearly an established player in the Swans team but he wasn't getting much time onball. A lot of his minutes were spent on a wing, or at half-forward. To put that in context, he was competing with three players who would earn AA selection in 2016, plus someone like Jack whose pace, two-way running and defensive capabilities (back then) distinguished him from the plod squad, of which Tom was certainly a member.

The Hawks had a huge hole in the on ball division following the departures of Sam Mitchell and Lewis, so were able to offer Tom the chance to be the key linch pin in their midfield. His subsequent performances reflect that opportunity.

As for a personality clash with Longmire, I've never heard or read anything to suggest that. But a combination of things - body language between the two, Longmire's reserved press match comments when asked about Tom, AFLCA votes, the offhand tone of comments from Tom about the Swans since he left - make me suspect that there may not have been the warmth or mutual admiration between them that John seems to share with a great many of the players on the list.

[KSAS]

Whispers around the Murray where Horse grew up are that a mutual decision has already been made and Horse is heading back to Victoria next year

Not sure how reputable the rumours are (or whether locals are just parroting media reports) but have now heard from multiple sources

During the preseason I heard rumour Longmire's game plan was getting on the nose with players and that he would be at Carlton next year. I dismissed it as being so ridiculous that I didn't bother posting it and fearing it might generate needless angst if I did. I was reminded of this rumour again this week with our poor start to the season and the media pressure on Bolton's position. I still think it's ridiculous, coupled with Pridham's desire extending Longmire's contract beyond 2020.

[Roadrunner]

Liz, you could be right and we’ll never know. However, playing alongside Buddy in our forward line wouldn’t be too shabby!

[Sandrevan]

This is probably worth a read:

The problem with Sydney: John Longmire talks to Damian Barrett - AFL.com.au

Strange strange article. Looks like stuff cut and pasted from various Longmire press conferences!

This might be the only worthwhile bit.

Longmire: "We made decisions to trade out, to look at youth like McInerney and Rowbottom, to give those kids a chance, but what we didn't anticipate was the unavailability of those experienced players. That has exaggerated the challenge."

I read this too. The quoted Longmire comments are just his standard presser comments. None of his comments gave us supporters anything in addition to what we already know. What is insightful for me is that the AFL press gallery is now starting to write more about the Swans position this year. I don't recall any media figure talking about a Swans wooden spoon in 2017; they certainly are writing about it now. Agree with Markwebbos that it is a strange article - along the lines of 'how can we possibly be talking Swans and wooden spoon in the same sentence'. Barrett shows distinct respect for a team that has remained in finals contention for almost 20 years despite equalisation policies, trade bans, COLA termination, etc.