Sydney Swans coach John Longmire will hand the reins to his assistants during the NAB Challenge series.

John Blakey will call the shots this Friday night in Coffs Harbour when the Swans take on the Brisbane Lions at C.ex International Stadium.

Forwards coach Henry Playfair will take charge for the Swans’ second NAB Challenge match against Fremantle at Drummoyne Oval, while senior assistant Stuart Dew will be in the hot seat for the team’s final hit-out ahead of the season proper, against GWS in Canberra.

Senior coach John Longmire said it was a good opportunity for all of the coaches to get a different perspective of the game.  

“The coaches are no different to the playing group in the sense that we can all improve and I’m hoping it is something that all of us on the coaching panel can learn from,” Longmire said.

“This is something we planned at the start of our pre-season and it is a great opportunity for the assistant coaches to take charge, not just during the match, but also in the build up to the game.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the game from a different perspective. Whether it is just taking a backseat in the coaches’ box or spending some time on the bench, it will be interesting to see what I can learn from a different vantage point.”

The Swans clash with the Brisbane Lions kicks off at 7.10pm at C.ex International Stadium and can be watched live on Fox Footy.

The QBE Sydney Swans Academy will play a curtain-raiser against the Brisbane Lions Academy, kicking off at 4.10pm.