Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley knows his side must bring the pressure this Thursday night against an in form Western Bulldogs side.

After losing the opening two matches of the season, the Bulldogs bounced back against Greater Western Sydney last weekend with a 24-point win. 

Papley said his side was well aware of the talent and pressure that the Dogs possess.

“They are a really exciting team who didn’t start to well this year, but they came back well last week,” Papley told Big Sports Breakfast. 

“Obviously their handball game and pressure game is really elite. 

“We have to bring what we did last week, put plenty of pressure on them and hopefully we go well.”

A return to pressure, contested possession and competitiveness were the keys to the Swans Round 3 win over North Melbourne. 

The 23-year-old believes his side will be looking to take it to another level when they return to the SCG on Thursday night.

“We were back to our best in that area (contested football) and in our pressure as well,” he said. 

“We can still improve again on that which is exciting, so we are looking forward to Thursday night against the Dogs.” 

Papley has kicked six goals in the opening three rounds of the season and has been a consistent performer in the Sydney Swans forward line without Lance Franklin and Sam Reid.

But it has been some of the younger players that have really caught the eye of the small forward.

“I think we have some really talented young players,” he said.

“Ollie Florent the last two games has been unbelievable then you have the older guys playing really well like Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Dane Rampe.”

“We also have to have a number of good players to come back in as well.”

Sydney’s match against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night starts at 7.40pm at the SCG.