Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has confirmed that assistant coach Stuart Dew will continue in his position as strategy and midfield coach in 2015.

After being a candidate for the Adelaide Crows head coaching position, which was eventually filled by Phil Walsh, Longmire said Dew had informed the club he would return to his role at the Swans next season and not pursue other vacant coaching positions.

Speaking on 3AW’s Sports Today program on Thursday evening, Longmire said the club was thrilled with Dew’s decision to stick with the Swans.

“He’s told us that he’s happy to stay, so we’re really pleased with that,” Longmire said.

“We’ve had discussions with Stuey and he’s been fantastic for our coaching staff and for our team.

“He’ll be good going forward as well, so we’re thrilled with that.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Longmire also discussed Swans champion Adam Goodes’ decision to go around again for an 17th AFL season.

The coach said he and Goodes had undertaken many conversations about his future throughout the season, and said the 351-gamer was confident he could make a strong contribution again in 2015.

“These things are always a discussion between the player and the club and these things are ongoing all the time,” Longmire said.

“It’s never one or the other, and it’s never done at any particular point in time during the season.

“We’ve got a really good relationship with Adam and those discussions were taking place as the season progressed, and the longer the season went, the better he felt in his body.

“He came and saw me the week after the Grand Final and said he was feeling great physically and mentally and wanted to go again.

“He was really confident in himself to be able to do that.”
Longmire also provided an update on young defender Alex Johnson, who will require a fourth knee reconstruction after failing to get on top of an infection inside his injured knee.

The coach said the club would continue to support the highly-regarded 22-year-old, who has endured a terrible run of luck over the last 18 months.

“His last game for us was the Grand Final a couple of years ago and he was one of the best players on the ground for a young kid in his twenties,” Longmire said.

“He’s a super talent and a terrific kid and he just can’t get over this low-grade infection that’s been in his knee, and he’s had a lot of difficulty with it.

“It’s been a real challenge for him but he’s kept his chin up and he’s still really determined to get over it, which is a great sign and we’ll keep supporting him.

“He’s a great kid, but he’s behind the eight-ball, obviously.

“It would have been great to have him back because he’s a really good player.”

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