Sydney forward Tom Papley goes from working as a plumber to playing in an AFL Grand Final

TOM Papley watched last year’s Grand Final at a mate’s place after a long week plumbing. This year he will be lining up for the flag favourites.

Tom Papley has been a star for the Swans this finals series. Picture: Getty Images

TOM Papley watched last year’s Grand Final at a mate’s place after a long week working as a plumber’s apprentice, and admits he never could have dreamed of ever playing an AFL game.

But 12 months is a long time.

As it stands, the 20-year-old — who was picked up by the Swans as a rookie and elevated to the senior list before Round 1 — is the equal leading goalkicker of the finals series, having honed his craft in twice-weekly sessions in front of goal.

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In the last three weeks, he’s booted nine, and wants to continue adding to his tally on Saturday.

“At the start of the year, I was missing a fair few goals,” Papley admitted, having booted almost as many behinds as goals before his mid-season break with a shin injury.

Tom Papley celebrates a goal in his AFL debut against Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve been working twice a week with (development coach) Nick Davis and (assistant coach) Brett Kirk on set shots and snaps.

“Luckily I’ve found a bit of (form) and haven’t missed many in the finals.

“It’s sort of paid off, the work that I”ve been doing in the season and I’m really happy with it.”

He’s got a fairly handy player to share the forwardline with, dual premiership player and three-time Coleman medallist Lance “Buddy” Franklin right there beside him.

Franklin shared the 50m arc with Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli for six years at the Hawks, and Papley said he shares a similar relationship with the big forward after just 19 games.

“He’s an amazing player,” Papley said.

“When you run out alongside him, there’s always excitement to see what he can do.

“He’s fed me a lot when forward of the ball ... like when he had Cyril there at Hawthorn. I just look at him and the pressure he brings. He just tells me to bring the pressure and things will come.”

As late as November last year, Papley was spending his days working as a second-year apprentice plumber in Gippsland, earning $400 a week and playing for Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup.

And the long-time Swans fan conceded he never thought his day on the big stage would come — let alone the biggest of all.

“We had a little party going on (on Grand Final day last year) and we didn’t watch too much of it. It’s obviously a childhood dream just to play an AFL game,” he said.

“I didn’t really think I’d ever play one AFL game, to be honest. I’ve got my opportunity and I took it with both hands and have been fortunate enough to get here. I’m really excited and ready to run out with the boys.”

Tom Papley celebrates a goal for the Sydney Swans. Picture: Getty Images

His grandfathers Max Papley and Jeff Bray both played for South Melbourne in the 1960s but neither played off for a premiership.

Unfortunately Jeff passed away in 2006, but Papley intends to put a call in to Max this week.

“I had a chat about Friday night’s game with him to see how he liked it,” he said.

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“I’ll chat to him in the next couple of days, but he won’t say too much about it — he’ll just say ‘have a go and have a crack and see what happens’.

“He’s just pretty proud. He’s had a bit to do with me along the way. If it wasn’t for my old man and him and my family, I wouldn’t be here. Credit to him for what he’s taught me and the advice he’s given me along the way.”

Originally published as Sydney forward Tom Papley goes from working as a plumber to playing in an AFL Grand Final