Image the AFL world missed emerges of Sydney having moved on

As news of John Longmire’s resignation left the AFL reeling, an image emerged showing we had all missed a clear sign of his departure.

Inside the Sydney Swans draft room

John Longmire’s resignation sent shockwaves through the AFL community, but it seems we all missed a key early sign of his departure.

Reports emerged on Tuesday morning the premiership-winning coach has told the club he is stepping down immediately.

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Assistant coach Dean Cox is set to take the reins from Longmire, 53, after knocking back the opportunity to become West Coast’s coach in August following the departure of Adam Simpson.

As footy fans attempted to wrap their head around the shock departure on Tuesday, an image from the first night of the AFL Draft last week was thrust back into the spotlight.

Ahead of the first pick being announced on Wednesday, the Swans shared an image to social media from within their draft room.

No Longmire in sight. Credit: Sydney Swans/X

In the upload however, nobody noticed Longmire was nowhere to be seen. Head coaches are often front and centre on draft night, but the long-tenured coach wasn’t in sight.

AFL’s Ashley Browne wrote on X on Tuesday: “Dean Cox front and centre in the draft room last week was a sure sign that change was coming.”

AAP’s Olly Caffrey wrote: “The warning signs were there. John Longmire wasn’t even there on draft night, Dean Cox was already in the big seat.”

Longmire has been a staple within the Swans’ draft room throughout his tenure as the club’s head coach.

Longmire looking on during the 2021 AFL Draft. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

As social media erupted in the wake of the news, fans began to speculate that Longmire could be taking a year off before returning to the coaching ranks in 2026 when Tasmania enter the competition.

AFL Today producer Alex Donnelly wrote: “Can I take a price on Tasmania getting Longmire to be the first coach now?”

One fan wrote: “Surely he is target number 1 for Tasmania.”

A third added: “Tassie looms large for Longmire. Can’t really be any other explanation as to why, probably taking a bag from the AFL for the position.”

Despite the rumour mill believing Longmire would be the frontrunner for the new team, The Age reported the 53-year-old would be remaining with the Swans as executive director of club performance.

Longmire is done with the Swans. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Longmire stepping down comes after the club suffered a humiliating Grand Final defeat at the hands of the Brisbane Lions.

In the wake of the loss the club was thrust into the rumour mill with a bombshell report claiming star midfielder Chad Warner wanted out.

Warner is set to come out of contract following the 2025 season as both Western Australian clubs believing he will request a trade back to his home state.

The coaching shake up means Cox will have his hands full as clubs circle to poach the 23-year-old.

Third Man Up wrote on X: “Makes the Swans a really unpredictable commodity in 2025. Do they keep up their strong regular season form or does the GF loss drag them down? Lots to play out! Interesting for Chad Warner too.”

A second wrote: “Chad Warner price to return to Perth next trade period, would have halved today on the Longmire news.”

Warner could be the next man out the door. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The bombshell news of Longmire’s departure reportedly shocked even those close to him, with reports suggesting many of those confidantes still expected 2025 to be his final season.

He is the longest tenured coach in Sydney Swans history.

The 53-year-old led the Swans to three minor premierships in 2014, 2016 and 2021 and coached Sydney to five grand finals in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2024.

His one premiership win came when Sydney won the 2012 AFL Grand Final.

Longmire’s grand final record will read one win, four losses.

Horse has left the stable. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Sydney have lost their past three grand finals by a combined margin of 163 points.

He will be remembered as one of the most successful and stable coaches of the modern era but one who left some premiership cups on the table.

More recently he will be remembered — and haunted by — grand final selection gambles that blew up in the team’s face.

Longmire played 200 games for North Melbourne and was part of the Kangaroos’ 1999 premiership side. He also won the Coleman Medal in 1990.

He was well-liked across the entire football industry, managing to stay one of the nice guys of the competition right until his final days.

Originally published as Image the AFL world missed emerges of Sydney having moved on