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Papley hurt in Giants' trial win over Swans

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25th February, 2022
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GWS have defeated Sydney by 31 points in their AFL practice match but a hamstring concern for small forward Tom Papley is the Swans’ biggest worry.

The All-Australian small forward set up teammate Luke Parker for the first goal of Friday’s game but headed to the bench minutes later and didn’t return for the remainder of the six-term match on Friday at Lavington Sports Ground.

“We are taking a precautionary approach and he will be assessed in the next few days,” the Swans posted on their official Twitter account.

The Giants were the stronger team throughout the evening, leading at every change before ultimately running out 18.18 (126) to 13.17 (95) winners.

Both teams fielded strong squads, although most first-choice stars were replaced by younger players for the fifth and sixth periods.

The match reverted to 16-a-side in the fifth term and 12-a-side for the final part of the match.

“Whilst it was a practice game, our guys came with the right intent to play the right way,” GWS assistant coach Steve Johnson told AAP.

“I thought we tackled with real vigour. We’ve been working hard on our defence.”

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Stephen Coniglio and Tim Taranto were prolific through the middle for the Giants, while Lachie Whitfield’s kicking from half-back helped his side move the ball quickly.

Forwards Bobby Hill, Jesse Hogan, Harrison Himmelberg and Jake Riccardi stepped up in co-captain Toby Greene’s absence, all kicking multiple goals.

Riccardi was particularly impressive, with his strong marking and three goals a highlight.

“We need him to compete hard in the air and he did that really well tonight,” Johnson said.

Former West Coast player Jarrod Brander also showed promise, kicking five goals in his first outing as a Giants players, albeit some against weaker opposition after coming on in the third period.

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Isaac Heeney’s class and strength around stoppages stood out for the Swans, with the 25-year-old poised to take on a permanent midfield role this season.

Third-year player Chad Warner was among Sydney’s best, winning plenty of the ball and using it well, while former number one draft pick Paddy McCartin shone as an intercept defender in his first match as a Swan.

Sydney champion Lance Franklin was quiet, with his only goal coming after the three-quarter-time siren.

Veteran GWS defender Phil Davis shut Franklin out well, winning a number of one-on-one contests and limiting the star forward’s impact.

The duo are likely to go head-to-head again in the opening round of the AFL campaign, with Franklin needing just five goals to reach 1000 for his career.

© AAP

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