Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Essendon have pulled off a huge coup landing Sydney premiership coach John Longmire as their new head of performance.
He will oversee football operations and work alongside first time coach Mark McVeigh who was an assistant coach for Longmire at Sydney. Longmire’s responsibilities will include game strategy, player development, leadership, the coaching group, performance analytics and strength and conditioning.
His appointment is a massive coup for club president Andrew Welsh and CEO Tim Roberts as they look to rebuild the football department and attract players and coaches.
Longmire coached the Swans in five grand finals including the 2012 premiership after a stellar playing career with the Kangaroos. He stepped down as Sydney coach to make way for his successor Dean Cox at the end of 2024 and worked in a club performance role for the past two seasons.
He was a candidate to coach the Tassie Devils before Ken Hinkley was appointed coach but decided not to put himself in the race to become North Melbourne coach after Alastair Clarkson was sacked.
Longmire, 55, said he was excited to join the Bombers in a new role supporting the football department.
“I’ve known Mark [McVeigh] for a long time and have worked with him as well. He is passionate about the Bombers and has a clear vision for the team,” he said.
“I look forward to supporting both he and the staff as the club looks to take the necessary steps back towards being a consistent team who challenge the opposition every week.”
Longmire was prominent at the Swans as he supported key leaders at the club as they dealt with the fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal where five players missed finals due to their behaviour after a round 23 match against the Bombers.
Viney to head west as Eagles circle
Melbourne veteran Jack Viney will fly to Perth on Tuesday to tour West Coast’s facilities as he plots a move away from the Demons.
Having been told opportunities might dry up for him in the midfield next year as the Demons favour younger players, Viney is looking at moving.
He met with West Coast officials in Melbourne in the past week and was impressed with the pitch from coaches.
Essendon have also met with Viney. The Bombers would consider the 32-year-old a ready-made strong-bodied midfield replacement for Zach Merrett, who his likely to move to Hawthorn. Essendon is also attracted to Viney’s leadership, character and training standards to support their young playing group.
Their interest in Viney might now be redoubled after they missed out on securing Adelaide midfielder Luke Pedlar, who has requested a trade to cross-town rivals Port Adelaide.
The Bombers were in the hunt for the 24-year-old, who has not been able to cement a place in the Crows’ line-up, playing just 49 matches since being picked at No.11 in the 2020 national draft and battling a seriess of injury issues.
But Pedlar decided to remain in his home state and join the Power, who have lost star free agent Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs.
The Bombers have several trade targets as new coach Mark McVeigh settles in the role. Essendon are also interested in Lions’ premiership midfielder Sam Marshall and Geelong midfielder Jack Bowes as they look to recast their midfield with Merrett’s likely exit.
The Bombers could also lose contracted defender Jordan Ridley, who has gained interest from Geelong and the Kangaroos. Ridley has played just 26 AFL matches in the past three seasons.
Melbourne midfielder Trent Rivers is also looking to move with one year left on his contract. He has been interested in joining the Brisbane Lions, given his partner is from Brisbane, but he has also had some interest from West Coast.
The trade period does not officially begin until next Monday, but talks have been underway for several months about possible trades and free agency moves. The free agency window opens this Friday, with the Giants’ Toby Greene, Gold Coast’s Ben King, the Lions’ Lachie Neale and Port Adelaide’s Butters all looking to move as free agents.
Greene and Neale can move as unrestricted free agents, but it remains to be seen whether the clubs losing restricted free agents King and Butters will accept compensation for losing the players or match the offers to force a trade.
Get around our AFL finals coverage
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.
