Jarrad McVeigh’s importance to the Sydney Swans' structure can’t be understated in the wake of the team’s win over Melbourne on Friday night, according to coach John Longmire.

McVeigh’s inclusion for the Round 15 clash at the MCG, arguably hastened given he had just one run in the NEAFL after six weeks out with injury, proved a masterstroke as the 32-year-old seamlessly slotted back into his familiar role as the general in defence.

He collected 24 disposals in a strong personal performance, but it was his instruction and leadership down back which contributed to Sydney’s ability to set up effectively behind the ball, give Melbourne headaches coming out defence, turn the ball over and pile on inside 50s.

Sydney had the first six forward entries of the game in fact, before Melbourne settle and broke the line, reflecting the flow of the match throughout as the visitors finished on top for inside 50s (54-39) and for marks inside 50 (17-4).

"It happens to all teams,” Longmire told Melbourne radio over the weekend.

“If you’re able to get momentum out of the centre clearances, and get it into your forward 50, even if you’re kicking points like we were, when you set up well structurally it can be difficult to get through.

"And if you’re feeling like you’re getting scored against heavily, the forwards push up further as a result and you lose some of your structure forward of the ball which means it’s harder to get out.

"We’ve got a couple of players in Nick Smith and Heath Grundy with experience, Dane Rampe as well, and we’ve got a few young ones like Callum (Mills) and Lewis Melican and a few others that rotate through there.

"But there’s no question Jarrad sees the game really well, he’s a really smart player, probably one of the smartest players I’ve coached.

"When he sits behind the ball he’s able to help get the structure right and does it well."

While pleased with his side’s performance, particularly the contested ball numbers, Longmire stopped short of describing the win as the best this year.

“It was good in regards to that we played a really good team in Melbourne,” Longmire said.

“They were certainly short of personnel, they’ve had some injuries and a lot of six-day breaks which does add up.

“However, we can only do what we can do. We were really pleased with the contested ball element – they’re a strong contested ball team – we did really well that area.

“We were able to keep enormous pressure on them and cause some turnovers, particularly early.”