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AAP
Roger Vaughan

Longmire remains a 'maybe' on AFL send-off rule

Swans coach John Longmire is not sold on whether the AFL should introduce send offs. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Sydney coach John Longmire is wary about the AFL introducing a send-off rule, noting accidents happen and it should only apply to "really clear" incidents.

GWS forward Callum Brown was suspended for three games after his high bump took out Swans defender Tom McCartin in Saturday's derby.

Longmire spoke about the potential need for a send-off rule after Toby Nankervis concussed Sydney's Jake Lloyd with a bump, resulting in a three-week ban for the Richmond captain.

The Swans coach is a "maybe" on the idea after the McCartin incident, which he thinks was an accident.

"Is it a reasonable approach to consider that at some point, down the track? Maybe," Longmire said.

"Only the really clear incidents - maybe it's worth a consideration. But I'm not jumping up and down about it at the moment because I know there's a fair bit of water to go under the bridge.

"It wouldn't be to punish the player, just to even it up. These types of incidents do happen in football, but is there a way it can be evened up on match day.

"No matter what you put in place ... accidents do happen."

While McCartin is in the concussion protocols and will not play against Fremantle in Perth this Friday night, Longmire said the key defender appeared to be recovering well.

"He wasn't knocked out in the actual incident, which was a relief for everyone. He can recall everything, so that's a positive and so far he's pulled up well," Longmire said.

"He's feeling OK, which is really good news.

"I don't know whether it was deliberate. There are always going to be incidents in football that are going to be unfortunate things that happen - I'm probably, reasonably certain it wasn't deliberate."

Fellow backman Dane Rampe made a successful return against the Giants after recovering from hamstring tightness.

Longmire said Rampe wanted to play the week before.

"In hindsight, it was the right decision. He came out and played a really good game - he's a massive competitor, a strong leader for us," the coach said.

Longmire has lauded the Dockers, noting they are the league's second-best team for defence and No.1 for clearances "by a long, long way".

"It's going to be a tough ask," said Longmire, whose team is top with a 7-1 record.

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