Sydney Swans focused on Saints, not Eagles

Sydney coach John Longmire says St Kilda's most recent AFL quarter, in which they kicked seven goals to one against West Coast, shows how potent they are.

Sydney Swans head coach John Longmire during a press conference.

St Kilda have displayed potent form at times says Sydney Swans coach John Longmire. (AAP)

A blockbuster match against West Coast looms large, but Sydney coach John Longmire insists his AFL players won't be caught in the trap of looking beyond Saturday's game against St Kilda.

The Swans are the only team to have defeated the Eagles this year, having rolled them by 29 points in the first round. The two premiership fancies will clash again in round 13, this time on Friday night at the SCG.

Longmire is quick to point out his charges must first overcome the Saints in round 12 before preparing for the league's in-form side.

"Not one second," Longmire quipped, when asked about the prospect of his players' minds drifting towards their finals-like contest with West Coast.

"We're looking at the Saints this weekend.

"We'll be looking at that seven-goal-to-one last quarter and making sure we put enormous pressure on their players and play the sort of footy that we want to play. That's all that our focus is this week."

The Saints have been one of the league's biggest disappointments in 2018, failing to win a single game since their opening-round triumph over Brisbane.

However, former Swan Tim Membrey helped spearhead an inspired comeback from the Saints in their most recent outing.

Membrey kicked six goals straight against West Coast in round 11. St Kilda trailed the ladder ladders by 48 points early in the last quarter, storming home to close the final margin to 13 points.

"That was St Kilda at their best and they'll get some confidence from that, there's no question," Longmire said.

"Membrey's a good player. We know he's a good player.

"He's working really hard, he was able to hit the scoreboard with a bit of confidence on the weekend."

Tom Papley will be on restricted duty during the Swans' first training session of the week, on Tuesday, but Longmire is upbeat the small forward will be fit to face the Saints.


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Source: AAP


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