The Sydney Swans will be looking to bounce back quickly after falling to the Port Adelaide Power at the SCG on Easter Sunday.
Sydney ran in eight goals in the opening half to Port’s five but dropped off in the third and fourth terms to lose 14.10 (94) to 10.11 (71) in its first home game of the season.
Young gun Harry Cunningham said the Swans would have to be more consistent next week against the Giants.
“We will need to put in a four-quarter effort,” Cunningham said.
“The Giants are a quality side and are going to play for all four quarters and unfortunately we weren’t able to do that against Port Adelaide tonight.
“Our cleanliness of skills was also a bit disappointing tonight so we’re going to have to improve on that during the week and then we’ll need to bring intensity and effort next week to win.”
The 24-year-old said the side would also have to make better use of the ball next Saturday.
“I think we had a few inside 50s that we weren’t able to capitalise on and it ended up hurting us,” Cunningham said.
“We have a short turnaround with playing on Saturday. We’ll recover and prepare again for a Giants team that’s been playing really well in the first couple of weeks and in the JLT Community Series as well.
“It will be a great opportunity and challenge for the boys this week and we will really relish that after tonight’s game with Port.”
A positive in the Swans’ 23-point loss to the Power was a number of the side’s younger personnel had strong games.
Midfielder Oliver Florent collected 20 disposals, four marks and four tackles and Cunningham said he was able to show clean skills in dewy conditions.
“Ollie is a quality young player and he came out and played really well tonight,” Cunningham said.
“He made it look not so wet at times because he was very clean below his knees, whereas a lot of us others weren’t able to be for a lot of the game.”
Forward Tom Papley was another standout from the younger brigade in raking in 16 disposals and slamming home a goal from outside 50m, while Cunningham recorded 21 touches and a goal.
The Swans are now set for a clash with cross-town rivals the Giants at the SCG next Saturday for Sydney Derby XIV.
