Sydney coach John Longmire left to rue costly 50m penalties in narrow loss to Hawthorn

A FRUSTRATED John Longmire says he won’t be seeking clarification from the AFL umpires’ department over two costly 50m penalties during Sydney’s narrow loss to Hawthorn.

Dejected Sydney players after their narrow loss to Hawthorn. Picture. Phil Hillyard

A FRUSTRATED John Longmire says he won’t be seeking clarification from the AFL umpires’ department over two costly 50m penalties during Sydney’s narrow loss to Hawthorn.

Longmire was also concerned by a lopsided free kick count in the five-point defeat at the SCG.

At one point the Swans trailed 13-3 in free kicks as they went goal-for-goal with the Hawks, with the final count favouring the visitors 15-9.

“Obviously we were undisciplined because the free kick count was 3-13 at three-quarter time and I don’t think I’ve seen a differential like that for quite a while,” Longmire said.

“We have to get better at our discipline clearly because that’s a big differential.”

The Swans gave away two crucial 50m penalties, both for breaching the protected zone around the mark, that resulted in Hawthorn goals.

The Hawks closed to within a goal before three-quarter time when Jono O’Rourke converted the first 50m penalty against Kieren Jack, and Jonathon Ceglar put them in front midway through the fourth quarter when the Swans gave away another.

Both decisions left Longmire scratching his head for answers.

“Ask the umpires, I don’t know,” Longmire said.

“I won’t worry (about asking the umpires during the week),” Longmire said.

“I worry about what I can control.”

Dejected Sydney players after their narrow loss to Hawthorn. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson was full of praise for his side and admitted the result could have gone either way.

“We were lucky the siren went when we were in front rather than a couple of minutes later or a couple of minutes earlier and the score is different,” Clarkson said.

“We’re under no illusions we didn’t play our greatest footy tonight but nor did we allow Sydney to play theirs.”

Rioli was one of the Hawks’ best, kicking the matchwinner with less than two minutes remaining.

“For Cyril to kick that goal was pretty special,” Clarkson said.

“It was a long way out and there was a slight wind advantage to that end.

“He won’t claim that, he’ll say it was against the wind. It was a great kick, a pressure kick and at a really important moment for us.”

Originally published as Sydney coach John Longmire left to rue costly 50m penalties in narrow loss to Hawthorn