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John Longmire gives backing to AFL rookies

John Longmire is adamant Sydney haven't veered too far to the side of youth despite losing their first three AFL games.

Sydney Swans players
Sydney coach John Longmire is convinced his AFL team doesn't suffer from a lack of experience. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Sydney coach John Longmire is convinced his youthful AFL team doesn't suffer from a lack of experience, but admits the winless Swans need to get going quickly.

Languishing in 16th place and sitting on 0-3 for the first time in 18 years, Sydney's next two games are against competition heavyweights West Coast in Perth on Thursday and Greater Western Sydney at the SCG the following week.

"It's a lot of little things that add up to one big thing which is not a consistent performance," Longmire said on Tuesday.

"We've been in front in the last two games in the last quarter and haven't been able to get over the line and we haven't been consistent in any part of our game over the four quarters."

Longmire wasn't wasting time on worrying about whether Sydney's poor start would jeopardise their prospects of a top four finish.

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"That's not as important as this Thursday and that's all we can focus on," he said.

Sydney fielded nine players with no more than 15 games experience against Collingwood last week, while omitting the more experienced Jeremy Laidler and Harry Cunningham.

Longmire emphasised form counted more than experience in selection matters and was adamant the Swans had the right team balance.

"Whilst we've exposed a lot of young players over the first three weeks of the season, we still feel as though we've got enough senior players in our team to be able get it right, to be competitive," Longmire said.

"We're very much looking at the players that are playing well at the moment.

"A lot of those young players have been playing well, so they have earned their spots in the team."

Longmire wasn't concerned about the six-day turnaround for his side, pointing out West Coast had one day less and had also had to travel across the country.


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