| John Longmire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Longmire in June 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | John Longmire | ||
| Nickname | Horse | ||
| Born | (1970-12-31)31 December 1970 (age 54) Corowa, New South Wales | ||
| Original team | Corowa Rutherglen (OMFL) | ||
| Height | 194 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Weight | 102 kg (225 lb) | ||
| Positions | Full-forward, Full-back, Ruckman | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1988–1999 | North Melbourne | 200 (511) | |
| Coaching career3 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
| 2011–2024 | Sydney | 332 (207–122–3) | |
2020 | Representative All Stars | 1 (0–1–0) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1999. 3 Coaching statistics correct as of 2024. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources:AFL Tables,AustralianFootball.com | |||
John Longmire (born 31 December 1970) is the former senior coach of theSydney Swans in theAustralian Football League (AFL) from 2011 to 2024. As a player, he represented theNorth Melbourne Football Club in theAustralian Football League (AFL) from 1988 to 1999.[1]
Longmire was born inCorowa, New South Wales.[2] He took up Australian rules as a child and first came into notice when he won the 1984 Thirds goal kicking award in theCoreen & District Football League withRutherglen.[3] He later moved to theCorowa-Rutherglen club, and in his first season of senior football career inNew South Wales, he nearly won theOvens & Murray Football League's leading goalkicker title in 1987 as a 16-year-old, kicking 82 goals. His ability and size quickly attracted the interest of the North Melbourne VFL club's talent scouts.
Longmire's grandfather is formerFitzroy Football Club playerKeith Williams. His uncle,Robert Longmire, is a formerCollingwood Football Club player. Walter Longmire (John Longmire’s great grandfather) represented New South Wales v South Australia at the MCG in 1927.[4]
Longmire's physique and size earned him thenickname "Horse". His first match for North Melbourne was in the infamous exhibition match between North Melbourne and Carlton at The Oval in London in 1987. His first regular season match forNorth Melbourne was in the1988 season against Footscray with a four-goal performance, but he struggled after that and near the end of the season coachJohn Kennedy Sr. moved him to full-back. He did well in that role during the1989 season, holdingTony Lockett to five kicks in Round 14, but North's lack of key position players in attack saw him moved back to the forward line in August.[2]
The1990 season saw Longmire jump to the top of the tree: at only nineteen years of age, he kicked 98 goals and won theColeman Medal as the league's leading goal kicker (and the youngest player to have done so).[1] In Round 2 of that year he kicked a North Melbourne record of twelve goals againstRichmond, which he broke twelve weeks later when he kicked fourteen goals in round 14 againstMelbourne. Going into the final round Longmire looked likely to reach the 100-goal milestone for the season, however inaccurate kicking against a strong Collingwood defence resulted in two goals and eight behinds, leaving him two goals short. Longmire won North Melbourne'sbest and fairest award that year and led the club's goal kicking list every season from 1990 to1994.[2]
At North Melbourne, he formed a powerful goalkicking partnership withcentre half-forwardWayne Carey. In six seasons between 1990 and 1995, Carey and Longmire collectively kicked 768 goals (of which Longmire contributed 464), and thirteen times they combined for ten goals or more in a game. Individually, Longmire kicked 5-plus goals in a game 36 times, 7-plus goals 18 times and 10-plus twice, before a serious knee injury forced him out of the game for the1996 season.[1] When he returned the following year, he played out the remainder of his career in defence and in the ruck.[2]
Longmire missed out on playing on the winning side of the1996 premiership with a knee injury and just made it back from an elbow injury to make his last career gamethe 1999 Grand Final, in which the Kangaroos defeatedCarlton. This was his only year to also not score a goal, managing only to kick 1 point in 10 games.[1][2]
Longmire played a total of 200 games and kicked a total of 511 goals for North Melbourne from 1988 to 1999,[2]as well as being a member of the North Melbourne premiership side in 1999.[2]
Longmire returned toNew South Wales to take up an assistant coaching position with theSydney Swans in 2002.[1][5] In 2006, he was considered to be a front-runner for theSt Kilda Football Club senior coaching role, which was made vacant by the sacking ofGrant Thomas, however, the role later went to then-fellow Swans assistant coachRoss Lyon.[6] In 2008, senior coachPaul Roos, appointed Longmire the Swans' "coaching co-ordinator". In a succession plan, Longmire replaced Roos as senior coach of the Sydney Swans following Roos' retirement at the end of the 2010 season.[7][8]
Longmire's first game as the Sydney Swans senior coach in the2011 season ended in a draw againstMelbourne, with both teams scoring 11.18 (84).[9] His first win as senior coach came the next week, againstEssendon in Round 2, 2011.[10] Longmire had a relatively good start to his coaching career, with only five losses in the first fourteen rounds of the season (albeit against top-four opposition inGeelong,Carlton (twice),Hawthorn andCollingwood).[11]
One of his best coaching achievements was engineering Sydney's upset 13-point victory overGeelong atSkilled Stadium in the penultimate round of the 2011 season. The Swans had not won there in more than 12 years and the home team had not lost at the ground in exactly four years and one day. Also, the Swans were the only team to beat top-four sideWest Coast atPatersons Stadium during the season. Those two sides won the rest of their home matches during the regular season.[11]
Longmire took Sydney to the finals in 2011, his first year as senior coach in what was the club's 13th finals appearance in 16 seasons. After beatingSt Kilda in the elimination finals atEtihad Stadium, the Swans were defeated byHawthorn in the semi-finals ending what was otherwise a promising first season for Longmire in the top job.[11]
In the2012 season in his second year as senior coach, Longmire led Sydney to third place on the AFL ladder, compiling a 16–6 record in the home-and-away season. Longmire then coached the Sydney Swans to apremiership victory overHawthorn in the2012 AFL Grand Final by a margin of 10 points with the final score being the Sydney Swans 14.7 (91) to Hawthorn 11.15 (81). Subsequently, his contract was extended until the end of the 2015 season.[12][13]
In March 2014, Longmire signed a two-year contract extension which took his tenure to the end of the 2017 AFL season.[14][15]
In the2014 season, Longmire coached the Sydney Swans to the2014 AFL Grand Final, but they lost toHawthorn by a margin of 63 points with the final score being Sydney Swans 11.8 (74) to Hawthorn 21.11 (137).[16]
In the2016 season, Longmire coached the Sydney Swans to the2016 AFL Grand Final, but they lost to theWestern Bulldogs by a margin of 22 points with the final score being Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) to Sydney Swans 10.7 (67).[17]
In round 4 of the 2019 AFL season, Longmire coached his 200th game, a careermilestone. Three rounds later, he overtook Paul Roos as the longest serving coach of the club.[18]
On 12 July 2019, Longmire extended his contract for a further three years, to remain the Sydney Swans' senior coach until at least the end of 2023.[19]
In 2020, Longmire coached theAll-Stars team in a one-off2020 State of Origin match which was played on 28 February 2020 atDocklands Stadium.[20]
In the2022 season, Longmire coached the Sydney Swans to the2022 AFL Grand Final when they lost toGeelong by a margin of 81 points with Geelong scoring 20.13 (133) to the Sydney Swans 8.4 (52).[21][22]
On 2 March 2023, it was announced that Longmire had signed a two-year extension contract to remain the Sydney Swans senior coach until at least the end of 2025.[5]
In the2024 season, Longmire coached the Sydney Swans to the2024 AFL Grand Final, when they lost toBrisbane Lions by a margin of 60 points with Brisbane Lions scoring 18.12 (120) to the Sydney Swans 9.6 (60).[23][24]
John Longmire was described as a "shattered man" after the Grand Final.[25] Pundits noted his dejected state, calling him a "broken man." Longmire was visibly emotional, with tears welling in his eyes, even as other team members were discussing game strategy.[26]
The defeat marked the fourth successive Grand Final loss for Longmire. This was then compounded by having to conduct his post-match press conference while the victorious Brisbane Lions were celebrating.[27] Amidst uproarious revelry, Longmire struggled to hear the questions posed by journalists.[28] His own remarks were crowded out by joyous singing and the popping of champagne corks.[29] Such a thin wall separating the teams did little to ease Longmire's pain, and drew strong criticism from media.[28]
The loss, coupled with other factors like playing an injured player, provoked harsh appraisals of Longmire from fans and media.[30] Sydney leadership elected to stand him down from senior coaching. A falling out with former captainLuke Parker was cited as a major factor in Longmire's downfall.[31]
Longmire's official resignation as Sydney coach was lodged on 26 November 2024, with assistantDean Cox taking over.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]
Allegations that Longmire sought to destroy or "bury" Grand Final recordings from the Sydney coaches box, have continued to dog him after exiting Sydney.[44]
It emerged in June 2025 that an audio recording device from a microphone Longmire wore that day, was not returned to AFL officials as stipulated. Longmire is reported to have removed an “SD card” from the recording device.[45] The microphone was recording audio for AFL Media’s annualSound The Alarm documentary. The long-running series utilizes audio recordings from both teams' coach's box on Grand Final day.[46]
ReporterMitch Cleary stated that Longmire was paid a fee for agreeing to the arrangement.[47] This was the case with all previous coaches since the series began in 2019. In the case of Longmire, however, the audio never made it back to the producers.[44] This impasse continued despite repeated enquiries from league officials. Such intransigence has seen speculation Longmire could be barred, by the AFL executive, from any coaching return until the recordings are furnished. “Things were said in the box that he didn’t want other ears to hear” said Cleary of Longmire. JournalistCaroline Wilson said that "halfway through the first quarter" Longmire had become "panicked" and begun lashing out at others.[47]
Nick Riewoldt speculated the recordings could produce "reputational or brand damage" for Longmire.[47] He went on to say that there were "some things said about players" that "people don’t want to ever hear.”[45] According to Caroline Wilson, such public outrage and legal fallout could spell financial devastation for the embattled Longmire. Wilson suggested that Longmire's subsequent actions made perfect sense. She reasoned that “giving up the money" he was paid for allowing recording access, would be the "cheaper price” when compared to public disgrace.[47]
Longmire himself later confirmed these reports, but said his actions were spurred only by desire to avoid the "tough listening."[48]
“I’ve listened to all the grand finals I’ve been in" said Longmire, adding "I intended to do the same with this one.”[49] But after this, his fourth straight loss on the biggest stage, Longmire sought a different approach. "I just didn’t want to re-live it again" he admitted.[48]
Longmire defended his reluctance, saying “I'd done it before. I’d listened and tried to learn something out of those games before. I just didn’t want to do it again."[50]
When pressed on the AFL's legal ownership of the devices and recordings, the former Swans' coach reacted furiously.[48] An indignant Longmire suggested that the AFL had no rights to their own recordings, blatantly contravening a contract he himself had signed.[50] "My assumption was it was myIP" said Longmire, suggesting all attempts to acquire the audio would meet fierce opposition.[48]
Experts have since categorized the recordings as an example oflost media.
Officials for theTasmanian expansion club have declined to procure the native Longmire, suggesting others likeNathan Buckley may be in a better position mentally.[51]
Melbourne Football Club did enquire, however, but were left unsatisfied after Longmire declined a psych test on privacy grounds.[52][53]
These developments came as Sydney Swans spokesperson Tom Chadwick expressed concern for Longmire's mental wellbeing. Chadwick pledged strong action, saying he would "work with the AFL to ensure coaches are looked after post grand final losses."[54] Longmire has himself spoken at length on the issue, publicly detailing his own experiences with mental health.[55] In a video message to supporters, Longmire stressed the need to "reframe the conversation about men’s depression."
Longmire was the first AFL personality to feature in the Better Out Than In initiative. The partnership, betweenBeyond Blue and theMovember Foundation, sought increased awareness of men's mental health.[56]
Longmire's early participation prompted a flood of stories from other AFL players and coaches. Like Longmire's, these video accounts were released publicly, on the Better Out Than In website. Longmire’s video was said to "reframe the conversation" removing "stigma and secrecy" from the hitherto taboo subject.[56]
Longmire has taken this advocacy directly to the AFL, strongly campaigning for more mental health professionals in competition.[55] He advocates that teams be permitted to pay their own club psychologists outside of the club's soft cap. Longmire says the policy is vital, less more players and coaches fall by the mental health wayside.[57] The case ofSt Kilda great Danny Frawley was given as one such instance of preventable inaction.[58]
G | Goals | K | Kicks | D | Disposals | T | Tackles |
B | Behinds | H | Handballs | M | Marks | ||
# | Played in that season's premiership team | † | Led the league for the season |
| Led the league for the season only |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 1988 | North Melbourne | 43 | 11 | 21 | 12 | 70 | 24 | 94 | 56 | 2 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 8.5 | 5.1 | 0.2 | 0 |
| 1989 | North Melbourne | 35 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 99 | 41 | 140 | 31 | 10 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 6.2 | 2.6 | 8.8 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0 |
| 1990 | North Melbourne | 35 | 22 | 98† | 60 | 230 | 61 | 291 | 139 | 10 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 13.2 | 6.3 | 0.5 | 9 |
| 1991 | North Melbourne | 35 | 21 | 91 | 54 | 199 | 61 | 260 | 128 | 12 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 9.5 | 2.9 | 12.4 | 6.1 | 0.6 | 8 |
| 1992 | North Melbourne | 35 | 20 | 64 | 37 | 164 | 50 | 214 | 90 | 10 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 8.2 | 2.5 | 10.7 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 1993 | North Melbourne | 35 | 20 | 75 | 29 | 151 | 59 | 210 | 81 | 9 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 7.6 | 3.0 | 10.5 | 4.1 | 0.5 | 4 |
| 1994 | North Melbourne | 35 | 23 | 78 | 46 | 170 | 86 | 256 | 120 | 13 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 7.4 | 3.7 | 11.1 | 5.2 | 0.6 | 8 |
| 1995 | North Melbourne | 35 | 22 | 58 | 32 | 157 | 78 | 235 | 94 | 10 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 7.1 | 3.5 | 10.7 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 1996 | North Melbourne | 35 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1997 | North Melbourne | 35 | 25 | 10 | 11 | 196 | 104 | 300 | 96 | 33 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 7.8 | 4.2 | 12.0 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 3 |
| 1998 | North Melbourne | 35 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 50 | 35 | 85 | 28 | 4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 8.5 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1 |
| 1999# | North Melbourne | 35 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 38 | 91 | 24 | 8 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 9.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0 |
| Career | 200 | 511 | 298 | 1539 | 637 | 2177 | 887 | 121 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 7.7 | 3.2 | 10.9 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 33 | ||
Updated to the end of the 2024 season.[60]
| Team | Year | Home and Away Season | Finals | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Drew | Win % | Position | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| SYD | 2011 | 12 | 9 | 1 | .546 | 7th out of 17 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost toHawthorn inSemi Final |
| SYD | 2012 | 16 | 6 | 0 | .727 | 3rd out of 18 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | DefeatedHawthorn inGrand Final |
| SYD | 2013 | 15 | 6 | 1 | .682 | 4th out of 18 | 1 | 2 | .332 | Lost toFremantle inPreliminary Final |
| SYD | 2014 | 17 | 5 | 0 | .773 | 1st out of 18 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost toHawthorn inGrand Final |
| SYD | 2015 | 16 | 6 | 0 | .727 | 4th out of 18 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost toNorth Melbourne inSemi Final |
| SYD | 2016 | 17 | 5 | 0 | .773 | 1st out of 18 | 2 | 2 | .500 | Lost toWestern Bulldogs inGrand Final |
| SYD | 2017 | 14 | 8 | 0 | .636 | 6th out of 18 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost toGeelong inSemi Final |
| SYD | 2018 | 14 | 8 | 0 | .636 | 6th out of 18 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost toGWS inElimination Final |
| SYD | 2019 | 8 | 14 | 0 | .364 | 15th out of 18 | - | - | - | - |
| SYD | 2020 | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 16th out of 18 | - | - | - | - |
| SYD | 2021 | 15 | 7 | 0 | .682 | 6th out of 18 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost toGWS inElimination Final |
| SYD | 2022 | 16 | 6 | 0 | .727 | 2nd out of 18 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost toGeelong inGrand Final |
| SYD | 2023 | 12 | 10 | 1 | .522 | 8th out of 18 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost toCarlton inElimination Final |
| SYD | 2024 | 17 | 6 | 0 | .739 | 1st out of 18 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost toBrisbane inGrand Final |
| Total | 194 | 108 | 3 | .562 | 14 | 14 | .500 | |||
Team
Individual
Team
Individual
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Coach of theSydney Swans 2011–2024 | Succeeded by |
