Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Coaching great John Longmire has given Mark McVeigh his endorsement to become a senior coach, saying the Essendon candidate is as ready as he will ever be.
McVeigh is considered the favourite to beat Bombers great James Hird for the top job at The Hangar, but as a Swans assistant is in the unusual position this Sunday of coaching against his potential new employer.
A 232-game player for the Bombers, McVeigh spent seven years coaching at Greater Western Sydney, including a 13-game stint as caretaker in 2022 after Leon Cameron’s departure. He joined the Swans as their academy coach in 2023 and was Longmire’s backline coach in 2024.
Longmire says this wide range of experience has McVeigh well-placed to become a senior coach, though he warned untried coaches never know what the job is like until they are in the hot seat.
“He’s been involved at the coalface of the AFL industry for a long time, so he’s very experienced,” Longmire said at the launch of his autobiography Pain, Perspective & Premierships at the Swans’ Victorian base in South Melbourne on Friday.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has explained why he has handed former Melbourne and Carlton defender Oscar McDonald a recall to the side on the eve of the finals.
“Oscar’s form has been so good that we couldn’t keep him out and we think with him and Pearcey, they can both go small [if needed] and tonight is a good tonight to check that,” Longmuir said on Kayo Sports.
It’s retro round tonight and the Dockers will wear one of their throwback jumpers although Longmuir admits he isn’t a fan of the green in the older uniforms.
“I’m not sure if green is a great colour for a jumper, but we will see how it goes tonight,” Longmuir told Kayo Sports.
Taylor Walker isn’t playing tonight for the Crows with the sides starting as named.
Murphy Reid and Taylor Walker will miss the AFL blockbuster between Fremantle and Adelaide, with the Crows confirming mass changes.
The Western Bulldogs will rest captain Marcus Bontempelli for Sunday’s game against Carlton, while Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield will return on Saturday against North Melbourne.
Reid did not train on Wednesday after the Dockers young gun suffered a hit to his groin early in last weekend’s upset loss to Melbourne.
It will be the first game that Reid will miss since making his debut in round one last season.
Interesting report from Nine News Adelaide on the Crows team hotel being evacuated due to a fire alarm this afternoon.
G’day everyone and welcome to tonight’s AFL live blog.
I’m Roy Ward and I’ll be tapping the keys as we cover Fremantle v Adelaide in Perth.
Freo are locked into the top-two heading with tonight and next week still to play but Adelaide have everything to play for as they still fall outside the top six and into the wildcard matches if they can’t win their last two games.
First bounce is set for 8.10pm AEST.
Enjoy the hours to come.
