By RUSSELL BENNETT
TOM Papley has had one of the great recent AFL debuts with a brilliant three-goal haul for the Sydney Swans in their 80-point demolition of Collingwood at the SCG, 18.25 (133) to 7.11 (53).
The 19-year-old from Bunyip had two goals to his name just 15 seconds into the second quarter and finished with three majors, 11 disposals, five marks, and five tackles for the game.
The elevated rookie was one of the last selections on to the Swans’ list, but his family pedigree is strong. His dad Dave’s father, Max, played 59 games for South Melbourne and was named club champion in 1966 while his mum Susie’s dad, the late Jeff Bray, also played 34 games for the club after a distinguished career at West Adelaide.
Papley secured his place on the senior list shortly before Round 1 and debuted in the opening game of the season with fellow small forward Ben McGlynn still on the comeback trail from a hamstring strain. But if Papley’s performance against Collingwood is anything to go by, he’ll be a fixture in the Sydney lineup for a while yet.
One of his highlights of the game was a goal from 45 metres out, off a step, halfway through the third term.
Seven’s AFL coverage highlighted the Swans’ ‘Young Guns’ after the contest, with Richmond legend Matthew Richardson saying the likes of Papley got Sydney going early with his pressure inside forward 50.
In his interview with Seven after the game, former Dandenong Stingray and Swans star Luke Parker said: “Paps is a little menace down forward. He’s a little agro bloke with second and third efforts, and he’s had a massive pre-season”.
Parker said he loved Papley’s competitive spirit, adding: “That’s what stands up for our club”.
