How Swans forward Tom Papley flicked the switch to squash Gold Coast Suns’ resistance

The Suns were following the blueprint of how to beat the Swans perfectly, but LACHLAN McKIRDY writes, a spark from Tom Papley kicked Sydney back into action.

Tom Papley looks to get the handball out of the pack against the Suns. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The blueprint has been laid on the table for how to beat the Swans in 2024. Be relentless with pressure, dominate the midfield and don’t give them any easy looks inside 50.

During the second quarter of Sunday’s clash, Damien Hardwick’s young Suns looked as if they had written the manual themselves. They restricted Sydney’s movement through the corridor and sucked the life out of the SCG.

Yet as the Swans have proven already this season, you’ve got to do it for four quarters. Melbourne, Collingwood, Essendon and West Coast all found out that they’ll make you pay late if you drop your intensity even slightly.

It’s what made Richmond’s surprise victory at the MCG so impressive. They didn’t just match Sydney, they overran them.

Tom Papley looks to get the handball out of the pack against the Suns. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

There was a nervous energy emanating around the ground early in the second half from Swans fans that they were settling in to witness more of the same. Gold Coast had demonstrated they were ready for the arm wrestle and willing to flex their muscle.

But the crowd proved to be a tinderbox just waiting for a spark. And as he has been so regularly for the Swans, Tom Papley was the man for the occasion.

After another turnover high up the field, Errol Gulden quickly scanned his forward line to look for the best option. Papley, the deepest man, set his sights on the pocket and led accordingly.

With the ball floating in his direction, he pushed away from Charlie Ballard, flew through the air and took the mark almost parallel with the ground. He then got to his feet, snapped around his body and kicked truly to land his third major of the day.

It began the metaphoric opening of the floodgates with the Sydney fans taking to their feet. Moments later, he had another set shot with a ‘Paaaaapley’ chanting ringing around the ground better than any Mexican wave ever could.

Isaac Heeney is tackled by Touk Miller during the Swans’ win over the Suns. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Up until that point, it had been far from clinical from the Swans which is often to be expected when they come off the bye. They’ve only won a single match since 2020 following a week off and it has been a rare weak spot under Longmire.

But their fast start provided them with the platform to take chances. A five-goal-to-one opening term gave players like Nick Blakey the license to look for risky kicks. While it didn’t always pay off in the first half, his ever-present belief saw him find Chad Warner with a beautiful inside 50 in the third quarter.

A game that felt in the balance quickly turned ugly for the visitors as the Swans brought up the century late in the match. They scored the majority of their points off turnovers, all opportunities you can’t afford to give Sydney who came into the match as the best team for scores per inside-50 in the competition.

Papley, Blakey and Isaac Heeney were the key men again, matching their ball use with elite kicking into the forward line. Heeney’s elite start to the year continued as he came to life in the second half, bursting through the middle of the stoppages and leaving the young Suns midfielders in his wake.

Touk Miller of the Suns bumps Errol Gulden of the Swans at the SCG. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Justin McInerney also had one of the best games of his career, finishing with 26 disposals and six score involvements while Joel Amartey got in on the act with four goals of his own.

However, it was the man celebrating his 200th game who had the biggest influence on the game. The 30s clearly agree with Brodie Grundy who had a performance to savour with his family in town.

After celebrating his 30th birthday earlier in the week, Grundy kicked his first goal in the red and white late in the game and was accordingly mobbed by his teammates. It followed a strong performance against his former teammate Jarrod Witts in the ruck as the Swans won the clearance and hitout battle, Grundy finishing with 12 hitouts to advantage and 15 contested possessions.

The Swans still have plenty to work on in 2024, but the signs are there that they’re ready to explode. All they need is a spark.

Originally published as How Swans forward Tom Papley flicked the switch to squash Gold Coast Suns’ resistance