SYDNEY co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will take the reins from John Longmire and coach the Swans in their NAB Challenge clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

McVeigh, who is overcoming a knee injury, will be assisted by senior players responsible for the defence, midfield and forward lines.

The 30-year-old, who has coaching aspirations, will sit in the coaches’ box and fulfil pre and post-match commitments.

“It is about trying to improve our leadership as players and learn the best way to communicate with each other,” McVeigh said.

Round 18

McVeigh admitted he’d rather be playing in the game than coaching, but said he was excited by the opportunity.

“I have ramped up my running the last few weeks, it has been a slow process but it has been a long-term fix rather than short-term,” he said.

Longmire’s regular coaching panel is made up of John Blakey, Stuart Dew, Henry Playfair, Josh Francou, Jared Crouch, Brett Kirk, Rhyce Shaw and Nick Davis.

McVeigh was full of praise for returning star Lance Franklin, who has impressed teammates and coaches with his output over the summer after his 2015 campaign was cut short to deal with a mental illness.

“Buddy played really well on Friday night in the intra club so we will see how it goes but I would expect him to play,” McVeigh said.

“This has been the best pre-season he has had since he has been at the Swans.”

More to come ...