Hannebery recalls the biggest spray he ever copped from former Swans coach Longmire

Former Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery has reflected on the biggest spray he ever received from former Swans coach John Longmire.

Hannebery played 180 of his 208 Sydney games under Longmire and without doubt played his best footy under the 14-year coach, winning three All-Australians, a premiership and an AFLCA Champion Player award under his leadership.

While Hannebery had a great relationship with Longmire, he will never forget the one serve that is burned in his memory which came after a loss to Collingwood in 2013.

Although Hannebery had a solid 21 disposals in the Round 20 clash, the second most for the Swans, Longmire wasn’t happy with how he allowed Dane Swan and Steele Sidebottom to win the footy at the contest, and he certainly let the midfielder and his teammates know where he felt he went wrong.

“I might have mentioned this a few times and a few of the boys will remember this pretty well,” Hannebery told SEN Breakfast.

“It was in 2013 and in Round 20 we played Collingwood at ANZ Stadium it was called then.

“I think we lost by about five goals to Collingwood, and I was on Dane Swan and Steele Sidebottom at different stages - they both had 35 I think and kicked three each - so obviously I played them pretty tight (laughs).

“On the Monday we had a review and usually if you played badly, you might get one or two edits or three at worst where you might not be doing the team thing.

“But there might have been 36 clips of behaviours that weren't acceptable or efforts that weren't up to it, and I featured in 34 of them.

“So, he absolutely tore me a new one. He got into me that day and I think from memory it was mainly about running forward before the ball was won.

“I don't think I ran forward again under Horse Longmire. So, if anything, his message got through.”

After resigning from the head coaching role on Tuesday, Longmire will step into a role as Sydney’s Executive Director - Club Performance for 2025.