AFL 2024: Sydney coach John Longmire says information from former Magpie Taylor Adams could be helpful this week

The added insight of former Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams is an extra weapon in Sydney’s arsenal this week as they take on the reigning premiers in what coach John Longmire describes as a “huge task” despite a confidence-building first-up win.

Adams, who moved north after a devastating finals injury prevented him being a part of the premiership winning team, will be available for plenty of advice this week and during the game, as he again overcomes an injury sustained in the pre-season.

The Swans have also added another former Magpie in ruckman Brodie Grundy to their ranks, but his importance will be less about any insights into his former team, given he had a year at Melbourne in between, and more around a repeat of his stunning debut in red and white last week where he took on, and took down, Demons captain Max Gawn.

Longmire is confident Grundy, who was central to post-match celebrations at the SCG last Thursday and earned high praise from his coach, would be conscious of backing that up, and wasn’t lost in the euphoria of his first-up effort,

The Sydney coach even said the “attention” Grundy received after such a stunning showing was “a bit different” in his new surrounds, helping him to refocus on the Magpies.

“In Sydney [the attention] is not too bad, it’s a bit different.,” Longmire said.

“Whilst there might be a bit of outside noise ... he was in here on Friday going about his work preparing and recovering.

“He’s an experienced player so he understands all sides of the spectrum so he’s able to go about his work here. He gets down to the beach, does his recovery, hope he doesn’t get bitten by anything, and then comes to footy and does the work.

“He’s able to keep a pretty level head, he knows what’s going on.

“He understands last week was a big game and this week is a big game but he’s comfortable in his approach to games.”

Longmire said Adams, who hurt his knee in Sydney’s practice match against Brisbane, was out of his knee brace but still “a couple of weeks away” and while his insights on his former team would be helpful, they wouldn’t be match-defining.

“We’re fully aware of what Collingwood do really well,” he said.

“Taylor has a huge amount of respect for his ex-teammates and club.

“We ask him about their players and he says “they’re all good players” which they are.

“We’ve got to make sure we bring our strengths.”

After taking down Melbourne by 22-points, Longmire welcomed the earl-season challenge of taking on Collingwood, knowing they would be stinging after an opening round loss to GWS and with the celebration of their flag being unfurled at what should be a packed MCG on Friday night.

“We know that we play two top four teams (from 2023) at the start of the year and I’m not sure anyone else does that. That’s a tough start,” he said.

“If you look at Collingwood’s numbers – I felt the Giants were terrific – Collingwood had more inside 50s, more scoring shots and did a lot right in their numbers

“There are things they can take out of that game that were actually pretty good.

“We go into this week knowing it will be a huge task. It will be a massive crowd.”