Sydney coach John Longmire has predicted a mighty midfield battle on Sunday between North Melbourne’s speedy youngsters and his own AFL club’s emerging on-ballers.
However, Longmire may have to do without a vital cog in his midfield with co-captain Adam Goodes in danger of missing the game.
Goodes was on Monday charged with a level one rough conduct offence against Port Adelaide’s Jacob Surjan after he slid into the player with his knees last Saturday.
Because of his previous poor record, Goodes will be suspended for one match, even with an early plea.
The only way he can beat a ban and make a club record 304th appearance next weekend is by taking his case to the tribunal and getting cleared.
The unbeaten Swans charged to a third-straight win on Saturday, with the trio of Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker, all under the age of 23, their three leading possession getters.
The following day, North youngsters Ryan Bastinac 20 Jack Ziebell 21, both kicked four goals in the Kangaroos upset of premiers Geelong.
“To have the midfielders kick 10 goals was a remarkable statistic and they are handballing a lot,” Longmire said of the Kangaroos.
“They are playing with great energy so they will take some beating.
“(Brent) Harvey, (Daniel) Wells, we know they are elite as well, so it is a massive test and (Hamish) Mcintosh has come in and provided a real target for them as a forward.
“We just look at their whole group now as really improved across the board and we see primarily the battle being a massive midfield battle this week and that’s where the challenge lies for both teams.”
Longmire said he was really pleased with his younger players and acknowledged Kennedy was developing into an elite level midfielder.
“He’s certainly pushing along to being a really important player in the competition now, his consistency is remarkable,” Longmire said of Kennedy.
Longmire has allowed himself little time to celebrate Sydney’s flying start to the season.
“You probably take two minutes after the game and it’s a deep breath and it’s straight into having a look at the Kangaroos this week,” Longmire said.
“It’s a ruthless, relentless game and every week you’re coming up against an opposition that’s improved.”
A North Melbourne premiership player and life member, Longmire is keeping old mates at arms – or at least phone’s length this week.
“I talk to a few of the Kangaroo boys occasionally, I’ve got a few ex-teammates down there, but there’s no communication this week,” Longmire said.
“We turn the phones off and black ban each other this week.”