Sydney?s bye breakdown 1:49
Mark Robinson and Jon Anderson review Sydney?s first half of the 2017 AFL season
Tom Papley not giving up on Sydney’s finals hopes
AFTER an injury-interrupted start to the season Tom Papley is back and giving the Swans plenty of what they need but he could use a few more mates to come to the party.
His enormous pressure around the ball and tackling inside forward 50 was certainly missed in the opening rounds when he was recovering from shin and knee surgery.
It was also missing from his fellow forwards against Hawthorn when they moved the ball with ease out of defence.
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Despite their stuttering 3-7 record, Papley has the optimism of youth and believes Sydney can still see action in September.
“We still believe we can make the finals,” Papley said.
“Why not? In 2014 we won 14 in a row, we have the personnel to do that. If we worry just about next week the rest will take care of itself. We will do that until that last round. It’s about staying positive and believing we can win.”
Papley and the Swans players have taken five days away from the club for their bye round and have turned their focus to the clash with the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night at the SCG.
The players and coaches still believe in their game plan which has worked for so long and think they just need to execute it better.
“Early on our established players weren’t playing well but they’re back on the horse and going well,” Papley said.
“If we have 22 contributors we win most games. It’s not the place we want to be but we have to deal with it, stay positive and concentrate on next week and how we can improve.”
The 20-year-old spent his time off on a trip home to the country town of Bunyip in Victoria. It has reminded him he is on the right track with his football career.
Eighteen months ago the former apprentice plumber was battling frozen fingers digging drains before being picked up in the rookie draft by Sydney.
“Playing footy is a lot better than plumbing,” Papley said.
“I’m loving it. It’s a dream job playing in the AFL. The boys are great to be with and so are the coaches, it’s a great place to work. The people at the club are really nice and it goes a long way to making it great. When I was home I caught up with some my old workmates, I miss them a bit.”
Papley made the most of his chance in the big time playing 20 games including the Grand Final in his debut season and kicking 29 goals.
He carried a knee injury into the finals which was compounded by calf and shin problems which both needed off-season surgery.
“I hurt my knee just before the finals but it didn’t really bother me,” Papley said.
“I got through the games so I didn’t really worry about it. My calf muscles and shins were playing up during the pre-season so I had that surgery done and then when I was recovering I found my knee was playing up so I had that surgery done.
“It’s all good now. It was disappointing but there are worse injuries, I just had to do the rehab with 100 per cent effort.”
Originally published as Papley not giving up on Swans’ season