As coach of a team victim to the AFL's tackling crackdown, Sydney's John Longmire says the league is asking "a hell of a lot" from players.
Swans co-captain Luke Parker returns to action against the Brisbane Lions on Friday night after serving a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Carlton star Sam Walsh.
The midfielder will play as the AFL struggles to wrangle safety measures that vocal critics - many of them past players in the media - believe threaten to put the future of tackling in peril.
Longmire believes the crackdown asks players to reconcile two almost-contradictory goals.
"We're asking a hell of a lot from our players," Longmire said.
"There needs to be a level of intent to get hold of a player. Now you're also asking him halfway through that tackle to be very careful and make sure he has a duty of care.
"It's no surprise that it's not right all the time."
In an attempt to reduce the number of concussions in football, players are prohibited from tackling an opponent in a way that causes their head to hit the ground.
A growing number of players have been suspended, with Richmond's Nathan Broad (four matches) copping the heaviest penalty so far this season.
Hawthorn captain James Sicily faces a three-match ban over a tackle that concussed Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage, which the defender claimed had followed the league's safety advice.
While players' safety is paramount, Longmire said this year's crackdown has introduced a level of uncertainty for a Sydney team already stretched thin by injuries.
"We've said to our players that we're not sure what will happen," he said.
"It's very hard to outlaw accidents. It's very hard to outlaw everything in football."
The Swans head to the Gabba buoyed by Parker's return for a clash with fourth-placed Brisbane, whose tall forward line could present a challenge to Sydney's injury-hit backline.
But Longmire is confident his side can hold the Lions back.
"We've got a very good ruckman who surges the ball forward," Longmire said.
"If we go OK on stoppages and get some ground position, I think we'll be OK."
