Longmire praises AFL star Goodes

Sydney AFL coach John Longmire hopes the racial taunt directed at dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes doesn’t overshadow the veteran’s best-afield display in his side’s 47-point win over Collingwood.

Goodes booted three goals and had 30 disposals in Sydney’s 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55) victory at the MCG on Friday night as the Swans claimed their sixth win and consolidated their spot in the top four.

Collingwood were held goal-less in the second term and scored only one major in the third term to trail by 48 points at three-quarter time before both sides kicked four goals each in the final term.

Goodes left the field visibly distressed late in the game after a verbal clash with the fan who was evicted by security staff.

“It cut me deep. I’m still shattered,” Goodes said on Saturday.

“Personally I don’t think I’ve ever been more hurt. The person who needs the most support right now is the little girl.

“She’s 13. She’s uneducated.”

Longmire said Goodes, 33, had set himself for a big game as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round.

“His performance was magnificent and we should also acknowledge that. He played so well,” Longmire said.

“He’s a leader in his community and he’s a powerful figure. The way he drove himself (last night) was pretty special.”

Midfielder Dan Hannebery, with 31 disposals and two goals, was another star for the Swans along with defender Nick Malceski and co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.

Longmire said key forward Sam Reid, who was subbed off in the third quarter with a thigh injury, hoped to be fit for Saturday’s SCG clash with Essendon.

The inconsistent Magpies travel to Brisbane to play the Lions at the Gabba next Friday night.

“We will be out of the eight at the end of this round,” Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said of his side’s 5-4 win-loss record.

“We have gone win-loss win-loss since round three and we need to be better than that.”

The Magpies were slaughtered on the counter-attack by the hard-running Swans.

“If you turn the ball over when you have it in your hands, if you do not use it well you give them that opportunity and if you don’t pressure them well enough then they are going to get out,” Buckley said.

Buckley said Sydney’s pressure contributed to his side’s poor ball use. Brownlow Medallist midfielder Dane Swan was one player in particular to struggle with his kicking efficiency.

While Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Travis Cloke (three goals) were among Collingwood’s better players, Buckley said overall the Magpies had been outworked.

“We were well beaten in all areas especially early,” Buckley said.

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