Tom Papley swapped his plumbing tools for a Sherrin when the Sydney Swans sprung a surprise in the 2016 Rookie Draft selection as pick 12 – and the pocket-rocket forward has since become a crucial member of coach John Longmire’s side. His breakout with the Swans saw Papley play 20 or more senior games in every one of his first four seasons in the AFL and at the end of 2019 top Sydney’s goal-kicking leader board. Prior to this Papley was selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team in 2017. The Gippsland Power product averaged 10 kicks and four marks and a career high 1.7 goals on average per game in 2022.
