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.”
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.
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.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Out for 4-6. Bummer.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Of course, "Golden Boot" Gulden will also kick at least a goal a game, with a few bags of 3 on the way ...
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Is 18 off 18 better than 15 off 15? Obviously a butcher of fine fillets. We'll see. You might see him as a midfielder, Longmire is not convinced.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
McDonald will play a lot more in 2022 and kick goals. Chad Warner also, but from the midfield. Ladhams will play ruck/forward and kick goals. Same with other talls McLean and Amartey. Joey Kennedy will spend more time forward and can kick a goal. Midfielders like Florent, Rowbottom & Mills need to kick more goals. First year players like Gus Sheldrick will play and he does kick a goal. Bloods consolidating in 2022 for a good tilt at the flag in 2023 ...
Chief Keeffe
Roar Rookie
A long way off what exactly? It puts him in the top 15 players (or midfielders if we want to call it a midfielders award) in the game. He polled 18 votes in 18 games. Cunnington polled 15 in 15 (not the first time I've seen you butcher some stats to try and fool people into thinking you're correct). So I'm very comfortable saying Mills has "made a midfield splash". I will readily admit that Heeney hasn't done the same yet, but to suggest its because he doesn't have the tank is unfounded speculation. He's played forward because we've needed him up forward, and he's been extremely good there (I personally would keep him there because I think finding a 35 goal mid-forward is harder than another gun mid but that's just me). Having now done a full preseason with the mids, I'm very confident he'll excel there this year too.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
15th is a fair way off. 4 games is not much of a miss. Ben Cunnington missed 7 games and only got 2 votes less in the bottom side. The statement is very fair. You might be better off explaining why Longmire hasn't seen his gun draftees as midfielders. If they play there and do it well, they'll stay there and we'll see. The reality is that at 25, rising 26, Heeney is into the second half of his career and Mills, at a year younger is halfway, and neither has made a midfield splash.
Chief Keeffe
Roar Rookie
Sorry, what? Callum Mills came 15th in the Brownlow last year with 18 votes and missed 4 games... Heeney will get his chance this year to do exactly the same, going back to the position he dominated as a junior. Absolutely ridiculous statement.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Man losing papley is concerning for the Swans but it was a practice match I’m sure had it been a real game he may have played it out
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Papley’s a genuine pest, but man he’s important to Swans. Not quite as good as Toby but he generally stays on the park unlike Toby
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
It’s called a practice match, not a trial.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Sheldrick. Great place to start. Warner Mk2. If they play McDonald, you might see a tall besides Buddy kicking a goal. There is, however, a reason why Heeney and Mills have not already made their marks as established midfielders; they may not have the goods (namely, a tank).
Chris M
Guest
The Swans' top goalkickers in 2021 were: Franklin 51.24 (18 games); Papley 43.27 (23 games); Heeney 36.21 (21 games); Hayward 28.15 (19 games); Wicks 17.18 (22 games); Parker 15.8 (22 games). The Swans cannot afford to bring Papley back from a hamstring injury too early because they tend to recur more frequently if you don't let them heal properly. However, if Papley doesn't play, where are the extra goals going to come from? The best of the goalkicking midfielders, Parker, kicked the sixth most (15) goals last season. Clearly Heeney won't kick anywhere near as many goals as last season (36) if he becomes a fulltime midfielder. Heeney will probably be spending a lot of time in the engine room while Mills is still recovering from an achilles tendon injury. Who, if anyone else, is capable of stepping up in the forward line?