The Swans played a 60-minute intra-club match at C.ex Coffs International Stadium this morning, followed by a series of match-related drills including forward pressure and stoppages at the end of the session.
Speaking to the media following today’s program, Longmire said training had definitely lifted in intensity since landing in Coffs Harbour.
“It was a really tough one today and probably one of the toughest we’ve had this pre-season so far,” he said.
“We did a fair bit of match practice and then finished off with some more drills, so it was a long session.
“It was an important hit out for us today and we came here with that in mind to make sure we get some good match practice in.”
The Swans’ youth were put to the test in the intra-club match, with the youngsters taking on the senior Swans in the first part of the intra-club match.
Longmire said up-and-coming players such as Harry Marsh, Harry Cunningham and draftee Toby Nankervis, managed to hold their own against their more experienced team mates.
“It’s always hard playing against yourselves because you know what everyone is trying to do,” he said.
“We tried quite a few things today, particularly in the first 20 minutes, where the older blokes played quite a different style against the younger blokes, and the young blokes handled it pretty well.
“In the first part of (the intra-club) the young kids were all good and they played against our senior group and I think they might have even rolled them, which was good to see.
“(Dane) Rampe and (Jeremy) Laidler, and then some of the young kids like Nankervis really started to play well, but there were a number of young players who showed different things through that 60-minute period.”
Premiership player Luke Parker was the most experienced in the 'youth' side this morning
Following this morning’s impressive session, Longmire said there was a good chance that a number of younger Swans would take part in next month’s NAB Challenge series, particularly in the first hit-out against GWS on February 20.
“We’d certainly look to play a few first up,” Longmire said.
“Already there are a couple of blokes who are starting to put their hand up like Marsh and Cunningham and there are a few others who are starting to look comfortable at that level mixing with senior players.
“We’ve been fortunate that the AFL have allowed a bit more flexibility with the rules of the NAB Challenge this year.
“They’ve allowed the interchange out to 130 and have extended the bench to a couple of subs which means we can really test out some of our young players.”
