‘He’ll take it hard’: Longmire, Swans rally around shattered McDonald

John Longmire has tipped Logan McDonald to come back “bigger and better” from his AFL grand final axing as his Sydney Swans teammates rallied around the shattered forward, while backing in his replacement Hayden McLean to thrive against Geelong.

McDonald played 17 games this year, including Sydney’s two prior finals, but struggled to make an impact in their preliminary final win over Collingwood with just six possessions and a goal.

That performance left him vulnerable at the selection table, but Longmire’s decision to swap him for McLean - who featured in Sydney’s first eight games of the season — including a strong showing in their round two win over the Cats, but hasn’t played at senior level since — was no less shocking when the teams dropped on Thursday evening.

And given his own personal experience at North Melbourne, having been dropped by Denis Pagan after winning the 1998 qualifying final, Longmire said the news was tough to deliver to the 20-year-old.

“It’s not easy - I’ve been on the other side of that conversation as a player. It’s not an easy thing to do,” Longmire said.

“He’s a terrific young player with a great future ahead of him. We made the decision because we thought that was the best line-up for tomorrow. Very tough for him, [he] is a great kid. He’ll bounce back bigger and better.”

Logan McDonald at the traditional AFL grand final parade.Credit: AFL Photos

The versatile McLean can go forward and help Tom Hickey in the ruck, giving the Swans options against one of the league’s best defences.

McDonald still remains a chance of playing if Sam Reid’s injured groin is considered too much of a risk on Saturday, but Swans players have been quick to rally around the former No.4 draft pick and provide him with emotional support.

“I think it’s one of the most heartbreaking positions you can be in,” co-captain Luke Parker said.

“He’s got such a big future at our club and hopefully, this is just a small step downward for him.

“He’ll take it hard. But at the same time, his attitude’s been incredible. He’s still preparing like he’ll play. That’s been his attitude all year, whether he’s been playing reserves or seniors.”

Small forward Tom Papley said at the grand final parade: “We got around him, it’s a tough time. There is always one story in a grand final, and he was one of them.”

Meanwhile, Reid has been given the all-clear to play - barring any unforeseen mishaps on Saturday - despite the groin injury that saw him subbed out against the Pies last weekend. It’s a welcome relief for not only the Swans but the veteran tall, whose career has been ravaged by soft-tissue problems which threatened to destroy his hopes of a second premiership medal.

Reid and Parker are the only players remaining from Sydney’s 2012 grand final-winning team.

“He’s got some scans on Monday, and that was really encouraging. We were confident from that point,” Longmire said.

Sam Reid runs during the Swans’ closed training session on Thursday morning.Credit: Phil Hillyard

“He did some training on Thursday, did exactly what he needed to do, and felt really good from that. As we sit here now he’s ready to play. We get into tomorrow, and we expect him to be playing.”

Reid did some light kicking at the Swans’ captain’s run at the MCG on Friday, and spent some time in deep conversation with Longmire.

Longmire also said Justin McInerney would play, having ticked off what was required from him after an ankle mishap in the prelims.

Meanwhile, Parker said the news earlier in the week that Lance Franklin had re-signed with the Swans for another season has given the team an almighty boost, as they aim to win their first flag since his arrival in Sydney.

“It’s bloody exciting to have Lance going around another year,” he said.

“The moment came to Sydney, we look at our success over that period, and you don’t have a premiership, but the amount of times we’ve been right up there fighting for one just shows the amount of success he can bring to a game.

“I’ve [had] front-row seats for a number of years of seeing what Bud can do out on the field and to have him then develop into such a senior figure and now guide this young group through, and to get them up to scratch to this next level and, and back to where we think we belong, is really exciting.”

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