Sydney star Tom Papley has fired back at Essendon after Brad Scott’s side physically targeted the Swans in Saturday’s clash at the SCG.
The Swans would go on to win the game 131-101 despite the physicality after the coach during the week spoke about the ‘Essendon edge’ and the toughness he wants his side to play with.
There were two flashpoints in the game when things boiled over as a result of that physicality. The first came early in the match when Peter Wright collected Harry Cunningham high in a contest, knocking the Swan out.
The second came also before halftime when Sam Draper hit Jake Lloyd late after the Swan took a mark, another incident Sydney’s players took umbrage to.
Papley’s first comments came at half-time after that physical first half where he accused the Dons of going at him and his teammates off the back.
“We fought our way back,” Papley told Channel Seven at half-time.
“They were pretty good early, their pressure is good. They’re getting after us a bit, but we’ll keep going hard at the ball.
“They’re trying to get after us, it’s all off the ball. We’re just worried about the ball, we’ll keep being hard in the contest and get the job done.”
Also speaking to Channel Seven after the game, Papley said that the Dons continued going at them throughout the game and accused Wright of going too far with the ‘Essendon edge’.
“They really gave it to us, Essendon,” Papley said.
“They obviously came out and Brad Scott said they wanted to have that ‘Essendon edge’.
“We knew they were going to come out (at us) … obviously Peter Wright took it a bit too far, but that’s footy and we move on from it.
“They were still getting into us (throughout the game).
“We all love the footy and love being tough … but you’ve got to do it for four quarters.”
He also told radio station 3AW post-game that he expects Wright to have a “nice holiday” as a result of the hit.
Check out the incidents and Papley’s comments below.
"It's a bit rich of the Swans to complain about a team targeting them off the ball..."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 23, 2024
The panel 'loved' how refreshing Tom Papley's explosive comments about the Bombers were, though one thing raised TJ's eyebrows.#9AFLSFS | Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/dKnnTct6M6
Harry Cunningham has come from the ground after this collision with Peter Wright.#AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/e3OqI5FnJN
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 23, 2024
"The volcano erupts again at the SCG!"
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 23, 2024
A 50-metre penalty against Sam Draper for this leads to a Tom Papley goal.#AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/vWVltfFOsr
