Papley finished with four majors,making him the most prolific forward on the night,but it was his goal on the run at the 22-minute mark of the final quarter that secured the stirring win in John Longmire’s 300th game as coach.
The slim victory keeps the Swans (7-1-9) within reach of eighth place as they put a severe dent in the Bulldogs’ top-four hopes.
Errol Gulden (30 disposals) was outstanding for the Swans,continuing his breakout season,while Ollie Florent (23 disposals,two goals) and co-captain Luke Parker (23 disposals) were also important.
The Swans entered the clash with emerging talls Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey as their ruck duo to take on the Dogs’ leading big man Tim English.
It was a move that backfired early as English made an impact at the stoppages and around the ground,and went on to finish with 22 disposals,10 clearances and 60 hitouts.
The Dogs threatened to break the game open in the first term as they dominated the possessions 122-67 along with a 17-8 advantage in clearances to build a 19-point lead at quarter-time.