Why loss to Richmond is an important wake-up call for young Sydney Swans side

They were out-pressured and outplayed, but it’s not panic stations for the Swans after their loss on Sunday. It is, however, an important reminder for the young side after a scintillating start to the season to not get ahead of itself.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: John Longmire, Senior Coach of the Swans addresses his players during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 31, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Expect inconsistency. That was one of the takeaways from John Longmire following the Swans’ disappointing five-point loss to Richmond on Sunday.

The Tigers impressed at the MCG with their renewed vigour and relentless pressure, forcing the previously unblemished Swans into their poorest performance of 2024.

Where Sydney’s transition was devastating against the Bombers a week earlier, inefficient kicking contributed to below-par forward entries and only seven marks inside 50.

Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Tom Papley and James Rowbottom, four of the Swans’ most important ball users, all kicked at 50 per cent efficiency or less. That same quartet were also in the top five for most clangers in the game.

As a team, they could not generate forward pressure with just four tackles inside 50 for the match while at times their defensive structures were found wanting.

It’s a long way from panic stations after three wins in the opening month, but the Sydney coach felt it was a good reminder of exactly where his side is placed.

John Longmire believes his team still has to find more consistency in the overall standard of their performances. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We were younger than Richmond today,” Longmire said. “We’ve still got 13 23-and-under out there so we’ve still got some development in the consistency space, we’ve got to be better than that.

“We weren’t as sharp around the ball, and without the ball in particular … a bit of that is down to Richmond and they were really good at it.

“To be a good team you’ve got to be able to stay at that level all the time. We weren’t at our best but we only got beaten by five points. There are some things to come out of it that we’ll learn from.”

While Sydney’s youth has to be accounted for, it’s also important to contextualise how experienced they actually are. They had 15 players on Sunday who were involved in a grand final not even two years ago and as a result, there are naturally going to be higher standards expected for a team built for premiership success.

The luxury that Longmire has this year is choice. Injury ravaged the Swans in 2023 but the underlying benefit was consistent game-time for the likes of Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey and Braeden Campbell who established themselves as part of Sydney’s best 23.

It’s now the opposite problem with the Swans’ depth set to be a real asset. They have experienced players in Taylor Adams and Luke Parker to return imminently, while other members of their VFL squad are knocking on the door for a call-up.

Adams is closing in on a Sydney debut following a knee injury in pre-season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We’re committed to picking the best team we can to win,” Longmire said. “Whatever that will look like, that will look like, so we’ll make that decision week to week.”

This Saturday’s clash against West Coast at Gather Round is the perfect chance to put that philosophy to the test.

Longmire is set to be forced into at least one change after Dane Rampe was subbed out of the Richmond clash with hamstring tightness, but he could be tempted to make two or three more.

Rampe’s absence was felt on the field as Richmond kicked five straight goals in the third quarter. The former captain’s communication has always been a standout and he contributes so much to their defensive structure.

Harry Cunningham is the obvious replacement in the backline if he passes all his concussion protocols. But importantly, it could be a chance for Longmire to examine their defensive depth against an Eagles side that has scored eight goals combined in the past two weeks.

Dane Rampe’s hamstring injury will create at least one change for the Swans ahead of their Gather Round clash. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Joel Hamling was brought over as defensive cover from Fremantle, while Aaron Francis and Will Edwards both impressed in patches this pre-season. If they can make the most of a chance in the AFL, that will create more selection pressure on Lewis Melican and Tom McCartin despite their strong start to the year.

It’s a similar story in the forward line. McDonald, Amartey and Hayden McLean are clearly the future for the Swans, but Peter Ladhams has bounced back to form in the VFL as a ruck-hybrid. If he can continue that trend, his magnet could suddenly come into contention on the AFL whiteboard.

Adams is another who will likely be named for his Swans debut against the Eagles after a fortnight where Sydney’s midfield couldn’t create any prolonged momentum.

There’s no doubt that the Swans are the real deal this season. The professionalism of their wins against Melbourne and Collingwood proved that.

But to win a flag, you need your entire squad to contribute. And importantly for Sydney, that means cultivating an environment that hasn’t always been possible in recent years where no player takes their position in the side for granted.

Originally published as Why loss to Richmond is an important wake-up call for young Sydney Swans side