Swan Tom Papley shows leadership off the field by setting up fundraiser for bushfire victims

Swan Tom Papley has taken his leadership to new levels in recent times but now he’s taking that off the field. The kid from country Victoria’s thoughts aren’t just on footy — but the bushfire-ravaged area near his hometown.

Whether it’s a child left with nothing but the clothes on his back after a devastating fire or a fresh face looking to impress as a first year Sydney Swan, Tom Papley is there for them.

That’s what good leaders do.

The young Swans forward hails from Bunyip in Victoria, an area ravaged by fire this month. As he prepares to line up for the red and white in their pre-season clash with the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday, his thoughts will never be far from communities struggling to come to terms with devastation.

Papley, elevated to the Swans leadership group for the 2019 season, has set up a fundraising page, along with Bunyip Football Club, with the aim of raising $10,000 to help those left with nothing.

Tom Papley cools down at Swans training. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“There’s a lot of people affected by the fires and I’ll always be a Bunyip boy, I love the community, I love the people from there so it was one thing I could do to help as I wasn’t there to help them to fight the fires,” Papley told The Sunday Telegraph.

He knows one family where a youngster was literally left with the school uniform he was wearing at the time. Everything else, reduced to ashes.

“Houses burned, animals, sheds, businesses. It’s pretty sad to see when people have just got the clothes on their backs that they were wearing at the time,” he said.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking to hear that.”

But the response to his fundraising plea — from friends, teammates and strangers alike _ has been heartwarming.

As of Saturday, more than $8,000 had been donated with the money to help affected families with food, clothes and rent.

Papley has become a key cog in the Swans’ forward half. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“It’s good to see the boys jumping on board, contributing to it and it shows it’s not just the Bunyip people who care, it’s all round Australia,” Papley said.

While leading the charge to help his community, the 22-year-old is also working hard to help fresh faces at the Swans as they adjust to life in the professional ranks.

It’s a different role that’s for sure,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn every day from the leaders who’ve been there for a while.

“Then as the younger player in the leadership group, I’d like to think I can talk to the younger players at the club bit more. If I was a first year I’d probably like to talk to a younger player than an older player.”

As for today’s clash with the Suns, Papley stresses the importance of a winning boost ahead of round one.

“We’re going to be ready for a tough match and we need to improve on last week and roll into round one with momentum,” he said.

“It’s a young, talented side and we’re really looking forward to this year.”

Donate at gofundme.com/bunyip-bushfire-appeal.