Swans star Tom Papley could face a delayed start to the season after injuring his hamstring in a scratch match against the Giants on Friday night.
Papley came from the field in the first quarter and didn’t return, with Sydney confirming via Twitter they would take a “precautionary approach” in managing their All-Australian small forward.
Paps has hurt his hamstring, we are taking a precautionary approach and he will be assessed in the next few days. https://t.co/W5O6MKJnpj
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 25, 2022
Sydney and GWS played the six-term practice game in Albury, with more young players joining the contest in the fifth and sixth periods as older heads took off the boots.
Giants skipper Stephen Coniglio looked to be tracking towards his best football after two down years, and fellow midfield gun Tim Taranto’s strong pre-season looks to have paid dividends in the middle.
Former Eagle Jarrod Brander booted five goals in his first outing in the grey and orange, while Jake Riccardi also put himself in the frame to play Round 1 with several majors.
For the Swans, Isaac Heeney did nothing to dispel Kane Cornes’ belief that the Swans star is ready to break out with a strong showing on ball. He was joined in the best by third-year player Chad Warner, who also suggested 2022 could be his year with some classy ball use.
New recruit Peter Ladhams kicked two goals and competed well.
Besides Papley, both clubs enjoyed a clean bill of health from the clash.
While the scores are irrelevant, GWS led all day as the better team, the final score at the end of the fourth term showing an 84-68 win for Leon Cameron’s players.