Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is planning for his midfield to go head-to-head with Melbourne’s star-studded on-ball brigade.
The Swans meet the reigning premiers in the Qualifying Final at the MCG on Saturday for a ticket straight through to the Preliminary Final a fortnight later.
The Demons boast a sublime group of midfielders including ruckman Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Angus Brayshaw.
Longmire says his own midfield group of Callum Mills, Luke Parker, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney, among others, will need to take it up to the Dees if they are to pull off a win on the road.
“They’ve got stars, they’ve got a lot of great players,” Longmire said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He’s one, Oliver, he’s clearly a star, but Petracca is another one, Viney is in great touch, Brayshaw in their midfield group. Their captain Max Gawn leads the ruck and is a brilliant ruckman.
“They have a number of them. We’ll be making sure it’s really us versus them in a midfield group sense. We’ve got to make sure that our midfield group gets it done against their midfield group.
“Whether there is specific matchups or just that group of players, we’d like to rely upon that group to try and get it done.
“It’s not going to be easy but we like to make sure our boys can still bring what they bring as well, which is really important to do.”
Sydney finished third on the ladder after the 23-week home and away season while the Demons held onto second position with a similar 16-6 record, only separated by percentage.
They were eight points behind minor premiers Geelong, who Longmire sees as the clear standout heading into the finals series.
“Usually there’s a reason for the top four,” Longmire added.
“Geelong have been outstanding. To be able to end up on top of the ladder two games clear is a great result for them.
“They’re deservedly the favourites as far as finishing the home and away. There’s no question that Melbourne are sitting there alongside them or just under them.
“That’s why the ladder over 23 weeks really sorts it out, then the season starts again.”
The last time the Swans played the Demons at the MCG, they saluted by 12 points in Round 12.