GREATER Western Sydney player Heath Shaw has apologised after calling Sydney Swans player Tom Papley a “f***ing retard” in what has soured the Giants first ever win over the Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Shaw’s sledge was picked up via the microphone of one of the referees during the match, and the Giants player unreservedly apologised in a statement issued on the Giants’ website Sunday.
"I want to apologise for the insensitive comment I made to Tom Papley during last night's game," Shaw said.
"Yes I am a fiery person who plays with a lot of passion and emotion but that is no excuse for my actions last night.
"I apologise to Tom and anyone else who took offence to my comments, I deeply regret them.
"There is no place for comments of that nature on or off the football ground. It was an offensive remark that I should never have made and for that I apologise."
Sledge aside, the Giants were dominant against the Swans on Saturday at the SCG.
The Giants triumphed 15.15-105 to 9.9-63 in the match, with Toby Greene leading the Giants with four goals.
"Everyone contributed, whether it was the defensive part of their game or getting the ball themselves," Giants coach Leon Cameron said after the match.
"They’re clearly understanding that one man can’t do everything. Like every team in the competition is trying to have 22 contributors every week, we’re no different."
The Giants made it through the match unscathed.
Injured player Brett Deledio has told Fox Sports that he is unsure when he will return to the field for the Giants after a calf injury.
"I'm confident I can play in the back half (of the season)," Deledio said.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there, but it's just been a really slow process and one we knew we'd have to go slow with.
“We tried to rush it a bit early on probably and I did suffer a couple of setbacks, but since we've gone nice and slow we've built it up and got it nice and strong.
"Whenever that time is – I'm not going to put a time frame on it because ultimately you set yourself up to fail – but when I do get back, I want to be back for the rest of the year."
After losing the opening round of the season to the undefeated Adelaide Crows, the Giants have now won four on the trot and look the dominant side many expected them to be this season.
The Giants will open round six AFL action this weekend, when they take on defending premiers the Western Bulldogs on Friday night in Canberra.
