Sam Newman slams AFL Grand Final ‘disgrace’

Sam Newman has pulled out a flamethrower and called on the AFL to hand down punishments after Saturday’s grand final “disgrace”.

John Longmire and Logan McDonald. Photos: News Corp/Phil Hillyard

Sam Newman has turned a flamethrower on the Sydney Swans calling for the players to be publicly “censured by the AFL”.

The former Footy Show star was among many commentators that have spoken out about the Swans’ miserable performance against the Lions.

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Brisbane were crowned premiers of the AFL at the MCG on Saturday after a 60-point thrashing of the Swans, who have now lost their past four grand finals by a combined total of 226 points.

The Swans completely capitulated late in the second quarter and there was no sign of any fight in the second half where the Lions led by as many as 73 points.

It was all too much for Newman to stomach.

“If anyone ever says, ‘You experience the hurt of losing — either in life or in sport — and that will stand you in good stead’ — it is the most overrated, ridiculous comment,” the former Geelong player said in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I’ve watched the Swans. I tipped the Swans today. I watched the Swans get belted by Geelong in 2022. They didn’t try. And today they came down to the MCG. Took the oxygen out of the city. Both sided, because no Melbourne sides were playing. And we thought wow, here we go. And once again they refused to try.

Sam Newman has fired from the hip. Photo: Channel 9 and Twitter, @Origsmartassam.

“They are a disgrace. They should be censured by the AFL for taking the piss out of this competition”.

Even Swans greats, including Jude Bolton, were scathing of the performance served up by coach John Longmire’s team.

The Swans’ lack of defensive pressure and failure to compete for contested possessions was ugly to watch with Bolton describing the “uncontested game” as “embarrassing”.

Even mild-mannered coach Longmire seemed ready to snap after an icy press conference that unfolded right next to the Lions’ rooms — where wild celebrations could be heard.

Saturday’s heavy 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) defeat dropped Longmire’s grand final record to 1-4 since taking over from Paul Roos as coach of the Swans.

Isaac Heeney and teammates walk off the ground as the Lions celebrate. Photo by Phil Hillyard.

He won a flag in 2012 in just his second year at the helm, but has since lost deciders to Hawthorn (2014), the Western Bulldogs (2016), Geelong (2022) and now Brisbane.

Longmire struggled to explain his gamble to play key forward Logan McDonald, who carried an ankle into the game. He was subbed off just after half time with radio commentators saying he could barely walk.

It was all too similar to the scenes from the 2022 Grand Final when the selection of Sam Reid also backfired when he carried an injury into the game

2023 turned into a wasted year for the Swans as they fell apart carrying the demons of their loss to Geelong.

There are plenty who can see the club unravelling again in 2025.

When asked about his club’s ability to bounce back next season, Longmire responded: “We’ve got a group of people right across the footy club that’s able to do that.

“We’re disappointed, there’s no question about that. It’s a very difficult challenge to stand there on grand final day and win, it’s (also) a really difficult challenge to get there.

“This footy club’s been pretty resilient to be able to show the ability to get back there time and time again. Very hard to win it if you’re not in it.”

Under Longmire, beginning in 2011, Sydney have been minor premiers three times and missed finals only twice.

Spare a thought for Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd and Luke Parker, who have now played in four losing grand finals.