Sydney would prefer more games at MCG but will deal with current hand
SYDNEY has only two games at the MCG this season and was denied another with its top-of-the-table clash against Richmond at Etihad Stadium but John Longmire says the Swans have to deal with it.
Sydney
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TWO games at the MCG all season is not much practice when you are trying to win a premiership and the Sydney Swans’ cause hasn’t been helped by the AFL’s decision to play Thursday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
John Longmire would like more games at the MCG but isn’t thinking about a showdown with the Tigers on the last Saturday in September.
“We take what we can get in terms of MCG games,” Longmire said.
“This week we’re at Etihad so I don’t spend any time worrying about it. Richmond anywhere is a tough prospect.”
But the new deal between the Victorian government and the AFL will see the MCG host the Grand Final for at least another 50 years, something Longmire and the Swans have at the back of their minds.
“Clubs who don’t have that as a home ground just have to deal with it,” Longmire said.
“There’s been consideration in regards to that which needs to be discussed going forward.
“Is it a big concern playing against Richmond on Thursday? No, it’s not, and I’ll leave that to the presidents to work out.
“If the Grand Final was played at the SCG or Adelaide Oval or in Perth Melbourne people might have a different perspective. It depends what lens you look through, it is after all a home ground.”
Of more immediate concern is the return of Jarrad McVeigh, who missed the Swans’ win over the Eagles with a tight calf.
Longmire said he expects his former co-captain to be available for the trip to Melbourne.
“Hopefully he should be OK,” Longmire said.
“He will need to get through training and put himself up for selection.”
Injured pair Sam Reid (quad) and Lewis Melican (hamstring) are close to playing again after extended periods on the sidelines but will have to come back through the reserves.
“They won’t be coming straight back in (To the seniors) those two,” Longmire said.
“We will have a discussion on whether they play in our reserves this weekend. It may be a bit early for them and we want to get those two boys right.”
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