By JARROD POTTER
SOMETIMES everything just clicks.
Gippsland Power forward/midfielder Tom Papley, 18, from Bunyip, took up his inaugural VFL chance with Casey Scorpions on Saturday and exceeded all expectation.
Shrugging off the cold, Papley surged to ensure his first outing in the VFL was a memorable one in Casey’s 48-point win over Geelong.
While the 23rd man only gets to play a half, Papley seized his limited chance and flourished at the next level as he slotted his first kick for a goal en route to a bag of three and a lot of opportunity as a wily small forward.
“I was pretty happy with it – I was pretty surprised that I went alright, but the boys really helped me feel welcome and that helped a lot I felt,” Papley said.
“Been in good form in the last month and the coach called up Browny (Gippsland coach Leigh Brown) and I thought ‘why not take the opportunity when I can’.
“I just want to bring what I learned back to the TAC Cup and as a small forward, what I can teach the small forwards in our team – a few different things we can work on that they taught me.”
Starting on the ground, Papley stood strongly as a defensive powerhouse – locking the ball in the Casey forward-50 before unleashing his first goal – immediately surrounded by Scorpions from all parts of the oval.
“That was pretty exciting for me, and in the first quarter as well to get involved and get the nerves away a bit,” Papley said.
Despite starring in last year’s TAC Cup competition – booting 24 goals to lead the Power’s forwards – football the second year around is suiting Papley to a tee as the club is stronger and the playing group is closer-knit.
He’s already bagged 22 goals in the 2015 campaign and has averaged 17 touches a game with six rounds left.
“For personal reasons, it’s a bit more enjoyable than last year – winning a few more games and I’m a bit closer to all the boys,” Papley said.
“The team is a lot closer this year, and Browny has really stepped up this year – he was good last year but he took that extra step this year and really getting involved.
Papley hopes to pick up a couple more VFL appearances to finish this year and hopefully see his Power surge up the ladder.
No matter where he’s playing though, his famous grandfather – former South Melbourne footballer Max – is always in the stands barracking for the next generation of Papley footballing talent.
“He loves coming to watch me every single week,” Papley said.
“He always helps out with Power and gives me a few tips along the way as well which is good.”
