Enjoyable read.
Article about Buddy's upcoming season and a bit on Konstanty and selecting young players;
Buddy balance: Swans unfazed by prospect of Lance's long goodbye
The Swans are unfazed about the fanfare set to surround Lance Franklin this seasonwww.afl.com.au
On Franklin;
"He's a bit of a different personality, isn't he? He's a bit more low-key. He's not going to be seeking the attention. Something tells me that he'll probably be the opposite end of the scale," Swans coach John Longmire told AFL.com.au.
"We were talking to him before Christmas and he's in the best space he's ever been. He loves playing with younger players. He loves seeing young players come through. He smells talent and he identifies it pretty quickly. He knows when kids can and can't play.
"He walks into this building like I did the other day. He just comes up to me with a smile and says, 'how good is this joint?' For a player that's been around for a long time, I'm pretty sure that Lance won't be out seeking too many headlines this year."
On Jacob (and Paps);
"It does put a smile on my face to see the two of them, Jacob and Tom, buzzing around," he said. "It's actually quite interesting. Jacob rang Tom the year before, just asking him for some tips. He obviously came from a similar area and they're similar players.
"As soon as we drafted Jacob, Tom text me and was really excited. He's been fantastic. Everything he is, he's that. But he's also got a bit of class. He's not just a hard chaser. That stood out to our playing group in the first session, he's actually got some class.
"The two of them buzz around together. I grabbed both of them together last week and put my arm around them and said, 'geez it's good to see you two working together'. It's really good."
Selecting youth;
"Sometimes I probably err on selecting players a bit early," Longmire laughed.
"Nothing excites me more as a coach than seeing young players come in. I love it. When they first turn up, I can't wait to see what they're like off the field and with their family and how they play.
"Hopefully, those young players – whether they're played or not – they look around and realise that it doesn't matter how old you are. If you're having a go and preparing really well and training really well and competing, you'll play. It doesn't matter how old you are.
Good man that Longmire.
One thing Longmire has always been good at is being a man manager. He seems to have a really good relationship with the players. He is like a half coach half much older brother.
