Tom Papley has insisted that teammate James Jordon is amongst the best 'taggers' in the competition after another spirited display on AFL superstar Marcus Bontempelli on Friday night.
Jordon, who arrived at the Swans in 2024, has been a key figure amongst the red and white in the past two and a half seasons, and often playing the role of shutting down the opposition's best player.
Papley, who will make his long-awaited return to injury on Thursday night, lauded the efforts of Jordon who minimised Bontempelli's impact on the game.
The question as to what role Jordon will be play on Thursday night remains to be seen, with Fremantle boasting the likes of Caleb Serong and Murphy Reid.
Speaking on the More than Footy podcast, presented by Bing Lee, Papley said Jordon's role was pivotal in the team's system.
"I think last time we played the doggies, we won by 10 goals or so but I reckon Bont had 32 and 3 maybe and he wound himself up for this one," Papley said.
"Not many players can stop Bont, it's a credit to him (Jordon), he was on him all day. Last time we didn't help JJ at all and this time I thought we helped JJ a lot and as a team, it's not just JJ tagging, we need to help him as a 18-man team, so yeah, what he did to Bont was great.
"He had to go forward, had to go back and he was just on him all day all game. I haven't seen many stop Bont like he did on the weekend, amazing player and he got the job done for sure."
Another battle which Papley believes will be influential is Brodie Grundy against the Docker's Luke Jackson in the ruck.
"When I see the form that Brody was in earlier this year and Luke Jackson arguably probably best player in the comp as well on form, that's a matchup. I look at and go well that's where the game could be won," Papley said.
"I think it's gonna be a great battle, Grunds will be wound up and he loves playing against the best and winds himself up for it.
"They are very different players in their own right, Jackson probabaly does more running all over the field where Grunds is really crashing back around the scramble, different players in their own right, very good both of them, so it is going to be a good battle."
