Our neighborhood: Tragedies involving stabbings leave Swans stunnedOur neighborhood: Tragedies involving stabbings leave Swans stunned

Additionally, Longmire stated that Luke Parker, a three-time club champion, is still at least a week away from playing in his next AFL game against the Suns. Parker has played in 283 AFL games already.

The Swans will face a tough test on the field on Sunday when they play the Suns at the SCG, but what has been on their minds lately are the tragic events in Fairfield and nearby Bondi Junction, which is only five minutes from the Swans headquarters and close to where many of the players and staff live.

This is our neighborhood. That’s where all of our kids go. We frequently visit there with our pals,” he remarked. This whole thing that happened in our backyard is absolutely horrible.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the deceased and injured individuals. These are the individuals who come to support our club; it is quite tragic because it is so close to home, and our club has had a significant impact on many people.”

After last week’s bye, there was optimism that Parker, 31, would be ready to rejoin the Swans, but he is still recovering from the arm injury he sustained during the preseason.

“No, he’s not yet prepared to play. It’s requiring a little more time. We choose not to take a chance. Next week, we’ll see how he performs. Though it’s extremely risky, he’s training with us. The surgeon hasn’t given him the go-ahead,” Longmire stated.

Following a significant victory against Hawthorn, the 3-2 Suns will travel to the fourth-place Swans, to a venue where they have a strong record. They have won four of their nine games played at the SCG since joining the league, including their 14-point victory against the Swans in 2022.

“They put in a lot of work, and they’re a terrific squad,” Longmire remarked. “They were under extreme strain over the weekend. You have to be performing well because of all those elements together.

“They’re in fantastic form and they’ll take some real beating.

“They’re strong defensively, their forward half turnover game is really strong. All aspects of the game, we’re going to have to be on.”

The Swans didn’t have a completely peaceful bye week; club champion Errol Gulden inked a new contract, keeping maybe its best player behind bars for a further four years.

“You’re never 100 percent confident because the deal hasn’t been signed,” Longmire remarked, “but we were always confident.”

“We’re just overjoyed. Both on and off the field, he is a vital and essential member of our squad. Since he was a newborn, he has been a local boy. We are overjoyed to have a local Academy product selected in the 30s (selection) who will go on to be such a significant player and commit for a further four years.”