Sydney Swans not focused on John Longmire contract after AFL grand final loss with Dean Cox waiting in wings

Sydney chief Tom Harley has refused to weigh in on coach John Longmire’s AFL future in the aftermath of their fourth-straight grand final loss.

Longmire, out of contract next season, has come under the spotlight in the days since their devastating 60-point defeat to Brisbane in the decider.

The defeat to the Lions was the Swans’ fourth in a grand final since the 2012 flag, leaving Longmire with a 1-4 record in season deciders.

Asked if the Swans were considering a fresh start with a new coach, Harley told SEN radio on Thursday: “We’re not putting our minds into that space at the moment.

“We’ve been having conversations about 2024 all year, 2025 all year, and beyond so certainly not getting hung up on timelines as to when we dive into what it looks like beyond the current contract situation.

“He’s (Longmire) absolutely hurting but in terms of his commitment to the club ... he’s in.

“We’ve worked together for 10 years and he will process (the grand-final loss) and that will take time. We all just need to acknowledge and respect that.”

Swans assistant coach Dean Cox has been widely tipped to succeed Longmire if the premiership coach decides to step down.

A West Coast legend, Cox ruled himself out of the vacant Eagles job ahead of the finals series in September, saying he was happy with his role at the Swans and with life in Sydney.

Longmire himself was handed the reins by Sydney’s 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos after the 2010 season as part of a textbook succession plan, but Harley denied the club had such a plan in place for Cox.

“No, there’s not,” Harley said of the succession plan.

“Dean’s an absolutely exceptional assistant coach at the moment, and certainly he has senior coach aspirations.

“Dean is very happy doing what he’s doing and playing a supporting role.”

Meanwhile, Luke Parker is set to leave the harbour city club after formally requesting a trade to North Melbourne with a three-year deal on the cards for the Swans great.

Harley ruled out a play for Essendon forward Jake Stringer, saying the club was focused on retaining current players.

Out-of-contract star midfielder Chad Warner remains a top priority for the Swans, with Fremantle reportedly chasing the Western Australian.

“He’s a seriously good player, a game-changing player, and we all saw what he’s able to do this year in different roles,” Harley said.

“He’s clearly a very important piece of our future going forward. He is contracted for next year, that’s the positive part.

“We would love him in red and white for the rest of his career. We’ll be doing everything that we possibly can to help him see that his future is at our club.”