Jude Bolton blasts 'embarrassing' Swans as John Longmire caught in brutal post-match moment

Jude Bolton was among a number of former Swans players to blast Sydney's display in the AFL grand final, while John Longmire suffered a humiliating moment in his post-match press conference. The Swans made a bright start to Saturday's decider against Brisbane, kicking the first two goals.

But the Lions produced a stunning blitz midway through the second quarter and went on to record a staggering 120-60 victory. The Swans had been the best team all season but had no answer when Brisbane stepped on the gas on Saturday at the MCG.

While the Lions got redemption for their loss in last year's decider against Collingwood, the Swans suffered more embarrassment after they were demolished by Geelong in the 2022 grand final. And some former players were scathing in their criticism.

Bolton wrote on social media at three-quarter time: “Just 33 tackles from the Swans (to three-quarter-time). Embarrassing to let it become such an uncontested game and not have any control of the footy. Belted at stoppages. Terrific performance from the Lions.”

Longmire was a shattered man in his post-match press conference, and had to suffer the indignity of listening to the Lions belt out their team song while fielding questions. The coach's voice was drowned out by the singing, leading Longmire to ask: “Are there any more [questions] coming? Any more? Do you want us to wait? Are there any more coming in?”

Did Sydney Swans get their selections wrong?

For the second grand final in three years, Longmire was left to lament a selection gamble that backfired. In 2022 he admitted he shouldn't have picked an underdone Sam Reid against Geelong, and on Saturday he was forced to sub Logan McDonald out just after half-time.

McDonald came into the game with an ankle injury, and was a virtual passenger in the first half. Isaac Heeney was also dealing with a stress fracture in his foot and came from the field in the final term.

But Longmire wasn't as willing to admit he got it wrong this time around, putting the result down to poor execution on the day. "I don't think we gave it our best shot, compared to what we've been doing, and we didn't do what was required on the day," he said.

"I don't think we used our run enough from the start. We blasted away a bit too much. Then we were beaten at ground level and they were able to get it back, go back through us a bit too easy. We didn't put enough pressure on around the ball."

John Longmire confident Sydney Swans will bounce back

Longmire has now lost four grand finals out of five, but is backing his players to come back stronger. "It's a hard thing to do - you'd much rather get in the ring and have a swing than be standing outside, looking in," he said.

"Ultimately, we've been able to get ourselves in the position where we've had an opportunity and we haven't got it done today. We didn't pass the test. We have a group of people, right across the footy club, who are able to do that. It's very hard to win it if you're not in it."

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Stand-in captain Dane Rampe, who has now lost grand finals in 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2024, said he couldn't find a fault in how the minor premiers went about their preparations for the grand final. "The emotions are still pretty raw," he said.

"We're at peace knowing our preparation was as good as it's been. Unfortunately, I've been in this position a few times but I'm completely at peace with our prep. I guess (that) is what makes it so hollow, is that we don't know where we went wrong apart from what we did today ... the fact that I don't think we change anything."

with AAP