Longmire: “Massive” Essendon must leave past behind

Essendon is a “massive” club and John Longmire is determined to make the most of that and turn things around.

In his newly created General Manager of Performance role, the Sydney Swans premiership coach is eager to leave the past behind and step into a new era.

The Bombers have been in purgatory for some time. They’ve failed to win a final since 2004, they’ve spent the last five years outside the top eight and claimed this year’s wooden spoon.

It’s been a tough few decades but the arrival of Longmire has filled Dons fans with optimism, and he is intent on overseeing rapid improvement to buoy the beleaguered Bombers faithful.

“It is a huge club, as everyone knows. It's massive,” Longmire said on SEN Breakfast.

“Watching from afar, the size of the supporter base is huge and I really want to make the most of that. We want to make sure we improve all the time as much as we can and I'm really looking forward to the fans getting on board.

“That’s the thing that's really exciting. If we can improve, get better and be more competitive on the field and our supporters really want to turn up to see their competitiveness and see the improvement.”

As a result of their 2026 woes, Brad Scott was removed as senior coach with Mark McVeigh replacing him at the helm.

Longmire says what’s happened previously must be forgotten so the club can look ahead to a brighter future with ‘Spike’ in the hot seat.

“We're not sort of looking too much at the past. We're looking at what can be done in the future,” he added.

“I think that's really important because the past is the past, but we think we've got a plan and I want to support ‘Spike’ in that plan to be able to improve the future and that's what it's all about.”

McVeigh is a man Longmire knows well from their time together at the Swans.

He outlined the areas of improvement the new head coach wants to focus on.

“I know ‘Spike’ wants to look at all facets of the game - contest, defence and offence. He wants to look at everything. He wants to improve everything,” Longmire said further.

“I’ll cast my eye, which naturally tends to go to defence first. So we'll be looking at that.

“I think there's a whole range of things that can be improved.”

Longmire answered a range of questions from Garry Lyon and Tim Watson

Lyon: When did this all come about? How long has it been in the making?

Longmire: “Only a couple of weeks, Garry. I actually just spoke to Spike a couple of weeks ago as a check-in to see how he's going and we had a good chat.

“The next day he rang me and said there’s a new role that they had at the club and would I be interested. Things went pretty quickly from there, had a few chats, spoke to Andrew (Welsh) and Tim (Roberts) and then had a chat with Teddy Richards.

“It went fairly quickly from there and really just firmed it up over the weekend. So I'm really excited by it. It's a new role at the footy club and I think I can get my teeth into that. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Lyon: What was it specifically that got you excited enough to now put your lot in with the Bombers?

Longmire: “First of all, working with Spike.

“I’ve known the McVeigh family for a long time. Obviously Jarrad was captain at the Swans when I was up in Sydney for a long time.

“So that was really interesting that relationship we had with him. I just really got on really well with him and then I was able to meet Spike through that relationship. I’ve known Spike for a long time and value what he brings as a coach.

“So that was a starting point and my relationship with him is really important.

“From there I was just interested in the role and what it meant and whether we can improve the footy club.

“A great challenge ahead - no question about that - but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Watson: How broad is your role? What specifically is encapsulated in your role?

Longmire: “The main part of it is to support Spike. I’ll oversee the game plan, the development of the players, the leadership, the coaches, strength and conditioning - a whole range of different things.

“I think I was 10 years in as a senior coach here in Sydney when Don Pyke came and even though I was an experienced coach I just felt there was so much benefit in that.

“Just to have another person that’s been in the chair with you and understands footy departments. We didn’t get everything right but I think that experience really helps and certainly helped me when I was head coach when ‘Pykey’ turned up.

“I really want to do the same thing with Spike and help him on his journey.”

Watson: Would you drop off and have a chat to Zach Merrett and maybe try and talk him around or your role doesn't extend into that area?

Longmire: “No, that's not my brief. The guys in the recruiting department have got their teeth into that and they’ll be eight into it. It won’t be part of my role.”

Watson: What do you think about Essendon’s list?

Longmire: “It’s a really interesting mix of good young players and the team is looking for those players to develop.

“As I get into the role I’ll know more about them. I’ve got a computer full of games to look at and get a good feel for it to be able to understand it.

“There's some really good young players at the club - Sullivan Robey, Dyson Sharp, Vigo Visentini, Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako. Those guys have some really good potential.

“I think that Andy McGrath and Sam Durham (are good players). Nic Martin coming back into the team will be a really important addition. There's some really good players I think that we can work with.

“Some more draftees this year coming on board for the team as well. So there's some upside to that, but we need to get to work clearly.”

Watson: Will you sit down and talk to any prospective coaches?

Longmire: “Yes, I will. I’m there to support Spike and mould the new coaching group and get that group together and hopefully be able to support the players as best we can.”

Watson: How many more coaches do they need at Essendon?

Longmire: “We need a few. That’s what we’re working through at the moment. The roles and the specifics are being worked through as well.

“I’m just getting my head around that at the moment. Spike has some great contacts in the industry. Well be talking to a few.”

Lyon: The development of Essendon players is constantly brought up. What have you got in mind from a development point of view?

Longmire: “Well, the club has just appointed Brent Prismall as Head of Development.

“He’s spent 10 years at the Western Bulldogs under a really good system there. I got to chat with him earlier this week and I was incredibly impressed Wirth Brent.

“I think he’s going to be fantastic. It's a key role at any footy club, but particularly when you've got a lot of young players. We had the second youngest list this year and maybe the youngest list next year.

“It’s a young list, it's an important role and Brent will play a really important role. I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen of him so far. He looks like he’ll be a great addition to the Essendon Football Club.”

Lyon: Is Jack Viney someone that you reckon could help Essendon?

Longmire: “I know that's something that Spike has had thoughts about. He’s been active in that space as well.

“He spent the last few weeks in Melbourne talking to different people. Players that can help the club now but also drive standards.

“We've seen over the years the most successful teams are able to have the players really drive those standards and he is one of those players.

“I’m sure that's a consideration for Spike going forward.”

Listen to Lyon and Watson’s full chat with Longmire below:

Image: Essendon FC