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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

Papley, Zorko tipped to produce grand final fireworks

Tom Papley sparked scuffles in Sydney's preceding two AFL finals. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

In an AFL grand final build-up littered with unknowns, one thing is for sure: Tom Papley and Dayne Zorko won't be short of a word.

And if niggle turns to scuffle when Sydney take on Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday, the livewire pair are more likely than most to be in the thick of the action.

The premiership war will be won elsewhere, but Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage has no doubt who will win the sledging battle.

"I'd have to say 'Zork' because I hear it so often," McCluggage said.

"But I do admire the way Tom goes about it because we've got players that are like that as well.

"Those forwards bring so much energy to your group and he's going to be one that we'll definitely have to watch."

Papley ignited both of the Swans' lead-up finals at quarter-time, starting scuffles with GWS star Toby Greene and Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli.

The Lions are wary of falling into the trap of getting too caught up in the sideshow.

"I'm probably someone that will try to pull people away and not get involved unless I have to," McCluggage said.

"But there might some guys on our team as well that enjoy getting in there and fired up. Each to their own."

Sydney teammates have fed off Papley's enthusiasm since the fire-starter's return from an ankle injury for the finals series.

"I don't know what goes on inside his head but we absolutely love him. He brings a lot of energy to our side," Swans forward Will Hayward said.

"When he came back for our first final you could see the difference that he makes to the whole group.

"Whatever he does, we support him and we know he's doing it for the betterment of the team."

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