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Swans' resilience adds spice to AFL season

3 minute read

Sydney players remain in the dark about when they will next see their families but have produced a pair of stirring AFL wins in the face of adversity.

Swans coach JOHN LONGMIRE.
Swans coach JOHN LONGMIRE.  Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Sydney coach John Longmire hailed his side's ability to overcome unwanted distractions after a stunning 19-point win over the Western Bulldogs that shook up the AFL premiership race.

Faced with an indefinite stint on the road as Sydney's COVID-19 crisis escalates - and with no certainty over whether families will be able to join players and staff in Victoria - the Swans produced a composed and even performance at Marvel Stadium on Sunday to topple the flag favourites.

It was their second win over top-eight opposition since being told to leave Sydney at short notice last month, following a 92-point demolition of West Coast in Geelong.

"We've got a really good group that are able to focus on the task at hand and that's what we need to do," Longmire said.

"We'll go about that and do it as best we can.

"The last couple of weeks have been some pretty good, spirited performances. It's been fantastic to watch.

"We've been putting our energy into that and it's been great to see."

Sydney and GWS have been based in Victoria since June 22 and are unlikely to return home anytime soon with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian forecasting more than 100 additional COVID-19 cases for Monday.

The Victorian government has declared all of NSW and ACT a red zone, but the Swans remain hopeful families will be able to join their travelling party in the near future.

How and when that could happen remains to be seen.

If their plan is rejected, there is a chance some players or staff could opt to head home.

"We'll talk to every individual player and staff member ... they'll be supported as much as they can be and every example that we need to work through, we'll work through," Longmire said.

"We'll deal with everything on an individual basis.

"We're not projecting out just yet; we're looking at what's in front of us at the moment and that's trying to get our families down (to Victoria) if we can.

"But we've got a really good group and they're able to focus on the task at hand ... and that's what we need to do."

The Sydney derby between the Swans and GWS was slated for Giants Stadium this week, but is now increasingly likely to be played in Victoria.

It is the last remaining fixture for round 18 without a confirmed venue.

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