John Longmire says Paul Roos remains an important mentor for him, as he prepares to eclipse his predecessor's Sydney AFL coaching games record this week
The match away to Brisbane on Saturday marks Longmire's 203rd game in charge, taking him past the mark Roos set in 2010.
Longmire took Sydney to the finals in each of his first eight seasons but that streak is in danger, with Sydney making a 1-5 start to their campaign.
Former North Melbourne forward Longmire joined Sydney in 2002 and was an assistant to Roos from that year until he succeeded him after the 2010 season.
"He is a legend of the footy club," Longmire said of Roos.
"To be able to take the games record off him, I'm very proud of what we've been able to achieve at this footy club for a long time.
"He was and still is such an important mentor of mine, I wouldn't be doing this job without him, so I'm very appreciative of what he's been able to provide me with, guidance and assistance and help over such a long period of time.
"He's been such a quality person to learn the craft under and I'm really appreciative of that.
"We had a bit of a laugh on Saturday before the (Sydney derby) game. We thought it would be the appropriate thing to do, he and I share the record and then just walk away."
Longmire revealed some of his injured veterans including forward Lance Franklin and defenders Heath Grundy, Nick Smith and Jarrad McVeigh had been mentoring Sydney's large crop of youngsters.
While some of those players have struggled this season, Longmire said they were still a good group.
"They won't be always consistent but they are learning the craft and we're trying to fast track that as quick as we can," he said.
Longmire stressed Sydney would continue to balance selecting young and veteran players as they had always done under him, rather than concentrate on youth and a full scale rebuild as some pundits have advised.
"We're still going out there to pick our absolute best team to try and win every week," he said.
Sydney on Tuesday had their first training session at their rebuilt full-sized Lakeside Oval, a ground similar in dimensions to Marvel Stadium
