The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

Justin ChadwickSeptember 17, 2026 — 11:19amIn September 2006, Justin Longmuir was preparing for the biggest match of his life - a preliminary final against Sydney at the SCG.The Dockers lost by 35 points and, just two appearances later, Longmuir’s AFL career was over at the age of 26 due to a debilitating knee injury.Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir speaks to captain Alex Pearce during the team’s finals clash with Hawthorn.Paul Kane/Getty ImagesThe game we love can be so cruel at times. Longmuir knows that more than most.His retirement at such a young age was described as a tragedy by then-Dockers coach Mark Harvey.But as fate would have it, Longmuir will be back at the SCG on Friday night – some 20 years after that heartbreaking day when Fremantle bombed out of the premiership race.Longmuir’s knees didn’t allow him to reach his full potential as a player during his 139 games in the purple, a grand shame for a ruckman/forward selected with pick No.2 in the 1998 national draft.But his mind might end up being the crucial element that lands Fremantle an elusive flag.So what is it exactly that makes Longmuir so special?And how is it that the coach labelled overly cautious as recently as 2025 is now in charge of one of the AFL’s most electrifying outfits?Judging Longmuir from the outside can be tough.He’s awkward in front of the cameras; deadpan at times. The 1-0 mantra spruiked after every win this season sums up his public face.The 45-year-old lacks the fearful aura of coaching greats like Mick Malthouse, Denis Pagan and Leigh Matthews.But external perspectives are just that.What is Longmuir truly like as a coach?The best insight is from his players. There is no shortage of love, admiration and respect for the new-school mentor, the way he backs himself and his players.Shai Bolton knows a thing or two about coaching quality, having won two flags at Richmond under master coach Damien Hardwick.Bolton, who won his second All-Australian blazer this year playing big stints through the midfield, describes Longmuir as “amazing”.“Everyone has different personalities and they coach differently,” Bolton says.“Dimma is probably a little bit harder on the players.“I feel like JL – he’s pretty chill. But when you haven’t played your way, or you haven’t done your role, he can obviously give you a little spray now and then.“But he’s also a kind man and is always willing to have our backs.”Retiring forward Sam Switkowski has spent seven of his nine seasons under Longmuir.And while there have been external doubts about some of Longmuir’s tactics, especially whether he has been too defensive and conservative in the past, internally it has been 100 per cent faith.“We’ve been trusting him the whole way through,” Switkowski explains.“And just like we’ve improved on field, he’s also improved as a coach.“I love playing for him. I think he’s coaching the best he’s ever coached.”Switkowski has admired the way Longmuir has stuck to his guns even when the external criticism has come thick and fast.There were even people calling for Longmuir’s head following the club’s embarrassing 61-point loss to St Kilda in round eight last year.“He’s just really confident in his philosophy and his mantra,” Switkowski says.Justin Longmuir, centre, with Leigh Brown and Matthew Pavlich in 2002.“He’s built such strong relationships with his players and his staff, and there’s just so much trust between the players and him.”Powerhouse forward Josh Treacy also admires the way Longmuir sticks to his guns.“He’s been strong on his beliefs, he’s laid that right from the get-go when he started coaching,” Treacy says.“And that belief and trust has continued to build and grow within our group, and he’s continued to show that, which has allowed guys to flourish.”Midfielder Neil Erasmus is one of those many Dockers to flourish under Longmuir.“Team defence, that’s what gets him excited, and that’s what makes us such a strong team,” Erasmus says.“He’s a very honest guy, and he’s grown so much as a coach during the five years I’ve been here.“He cares a lot about his players and he cares a lot about the club.“He’s an unreal human and unreal coach.”Former Demons defender Judd McVee has been impressed by what he’s seen and heard from “the best bloke” during his first season at the Dockers.“There is probably a bit of outside noise about him, but everyone internally loves him,” McVee says.“My transition over, I couldn’t be more thankful for him. He backs me in, and he believes in me.“He’s just so smart with the levers he can pull, and he’s very tactical.”Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir addresses his charges during the round 23 clash with the Adelaide Crows.Getty ImagesLongmuir, whose first season as coach was spent in COVID hubs during 2020, isn’t afraid to hit back at critics.Whether they are taking a swipe at his handball happy game style or selection calls, Longmuir has full belief in himself and his players.Fremantle were the clear trendsetters this year, snaring a club-record 14 consecutive wins on the way to the minor premiership.When the Western Bulldogs tried to flood Fremantle into submission in round 21, Longmuir quipped “good luck” when asked if he thought other teams would follow suit.It wasn’t arrogance – rather a sense of pride and confidence in what had been created at Fremantle.Longmuir believes his players possess the tools to overcome any challenge, and he’s encouraging them to play with freedom.After a wake-up call from Hawthorn and a pressure-laden passed test against Geelong, now a decimated Swans outfit stands in Fremantle’s way.Longmuir couldn’t do it 20 years earlier at the SCG as a player.But it would be only fitting if he guides the current Flagmantle train into a grand final.AAPFrom our partners