The Sydney Swans sit two games clear on top of the ladder. While big players like Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden come to mind in that success, assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh named several players who fly under the radar.
Speaking exclusively for July’s Premiership Club update McVeigh praised the likes of Will Hayward, James Jordon, Nick Blakey and Dane Rampe for their work behind-the-scenes, but in particular spotlighted the hard work of Tom Papley.
“Paps is obviously a superstar but a lot of his unrewarded acts have been fantastic this year,” McVeigh told Sydney Swans Media.
In his ninth season, Papley has kicked 26 goals for his side and is averaging 15.8 disposals and 11.4 kicks.
“The team’s gelling really well this year. It’s been a really even performance from a lot of the players.”
McVeigh is one of the Swans’ most capped players known predominately for his star power as a defender and midfielder. The 2002 draftee co-captained Sydney from 2011 to 2016 and lead the club to the 2012 premiership.
With just seven games left in the regular home and away season, McVeigh says there are still areas of the game the team would like to develop, including game style.
“[The main focus] is on the way we want to play. It’s continual. We never want to stop in trying to improve…but also laying some strong foundations on the way we want to play,” the assistant coach shared.
“We want to make that really strong and something that can stand up in finals football.”
The team play North Melbourne this weekend at the SCG before travelling to Brisbane for a Round 19 clash at The Gabba.
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