Tom Papley is convinced Sydney can match the intense pressure that has powered Collingwood’s resurgence in Saturday’s preliminary final at the SCG.
The Swans were admired as ball-winning beasts when they last pushed this deep into finals in 2016, but it took the addition of some young guns and a more attacking game plan to return to the brink of a grand final.
While blistering ball movement is now a key feature of the Swans’ style, they have also returned to their roots to top the contested possessions and clearances six times, and the tackle count all but once, in their eight-match winning streak.
They will need that balance between fight and flight on Saturday when they face a Magpies outfit now impressing with their own attacking approach with or without ball in hand.
“They’re just full-on manic. It’s go, go, go at all costs,” Papley told AAP.
“We’ve got to be ready for that, but we can match their pressure.
“It’s key to our success too, like we saw against Melbourne. If we bring the pressure, then the rest of our game flows on from there.”
Papley is likely to feel the heat from the opening bounce as he now regularly starts matches in the centre square before pushing forward.
The 26-year-old has lined up at a third of centre bounces during the Swans’ current winning run, and only their rucks and first-choice on-ballers Luke Parker, Chad Warner, Callum Mills and James Rowbottom have been at more this season.
“It can be a bit lonely as a small forward, especially when you get a tight defender, so I like to get up the ground and into the middle,” Papley said.
“I’m told to use my fast feet in there, it works well sometimes.
“I usually start in there for each quarter and then see how I’m going.
“I go back when I feel like I need to get myself in the game or we need something different to the other boys who are a bit bigger and stronger.”
The Magpies have their own explosive forward now starring in the centre square.
Jordan De Goey’s speed and power have been on show across the finals with game-highs for centre clearances against both Fremantle (5) and Geelong (4).
“He’s one of the better players in the comp when he’s up and going,” Papley said.
“His two finals have been impressive and he’s a dynamic player, when he gets the ball in the middle he can really hurt you.
“We’ll have a plan but with our on-ballers and their pressure we can go head-to-head and get the job done as well.”
