Special guest at Kangas’ reunion
NORTH Melbourne powerbroker Glenn Archer will come face-to-face with the club’s top coaching target John Longmire at the Roos’ 1999 premiership reunion on Saturday.
The Roos are yet to formally discuss their senior vacancy with Longmire, but have identified the Swans’ senior boss and former Roos’ forward as an ideal candidate.
The 20-year flag function at an inner-city Melbourne pub will bring together Archer and Longmire for the first time since Brad Scott’s shock midseason departure last month.
Longmire’s right-hand man John Blakey, who has been widely touted as a senior coach in the making, will also attend the function.
Archer has emerged as one of the most powerful people at Arden St after he was selected to be on the panel which will select North’s new coach, and separately, review the football department.
Longmire tops the Roos’ wishlist after guiding the Swans to the finals in each of his past eight seasons, including the 2012 premiership.
He was a five-times leading goalkicker at North Melbourne between 1990-94, the best and fairest winner and Coleman medallist in 1990, and played 200 senior games.
One of the league’s most respected coaches, Longmire is contracted to the Swans for one more season and said he is happy at Sydney.
Hawthorn mastermind Alastair Clarkson and Eagles’ premiership coach Adam Simpson are expected to remain with their clubs in 2020.
Longmire’s manager Liam Pickering admitted he would listen to any approach from North but said on SEN radio: “I fully expect him to be at the Swans next season. I haven’t spoken to North.
“[There has been[ not one thing offered to me from North Melbourne about John.
“He is contracted to the end of next year, so it’s pretty straightforward. He has got his team going really well, that’s the main thing.”
Sydney football bosses want to re-sign Longmire beyond next season on a long-term extension, worth more than $1 million a season.
Swans’ chief executive Tom Harley said last month Longmire was “a fantastic coach”.