The former coach of the Sydney Swans football club, John Longmire has had a long involvement with the game of football; as a player, an agent and now as a coach. He first pulled on a North Melbourne jumper at 16 years of age in London, playing in the infamous 'Battle of Britain' exhibition game against Carlton. He made his official debut the following year and quickly stamped his mark on the competition as a key position forward. He became the youngest ever Coleman medallist in 1990.
Previous experience
Injury: Along with the exhilarating highs the game had to offer, Longmire was no stranger to setbacks. Having endured two knee reconstructions, the second one keeping him out of the 1996 premiership side, the 12 year club veteran crowned his 200th senior game with a much sought after premiership medallion on Grand final Day in 1999.
Coach: John used his football experience to head up the IMG AFL Division from 1999 to 2001, and was appointed head coach of the Sydney Football Club in 2011, taking the Swnas to the semi-finals in his first year at the helm. In his second year as coach, John led Sydney to third place on the AFL ladder, compiling an impressive 16-6 record over the home-and-away season, and coaching the team to a riveting 10-point victory over Hawthorn in the Grand Final.
Speaker: John Longmire has experienced AFL football from all perspectives; as a supporter, a player, an agent and a Premiership-winning head coach. He is uniquely placed to tell you what goes on in the inner sanctums of football clubs.
