Tom Papley speaks on his pre-qualifying final car crash, mid-season injury and Swans heroics

Tom Papley has revealed how he kept his pre-qualifying final car crash from coach John Longmire and opened up on the mid-season injury which had him fearing the worst.

In the hours before his qualifying-final heroics against the Giants, Tom Papley thought he might be consumed by nerves for his first game in six weeks or how his injured ankle would hold up to September footy.

But a minor fender-bender on Anzac Parade on his way to the SCG ensured those thoughts were quickly thrown out of his mind.

“(The car’s) a bit bad, but not too bad, not as bad as the Mazda so it’s alright,” Papley said.

“I kept it pretty quiet, didn’t want it to get out just to create some more drama before a game, so I didn’t tell many people.

“I think Horse (John Longmire) probably only found out once it came out in the media.”

Longmire was none the wiser to Papley’s pre-game incident, as the small forward sported a black eye on Friday from his run in with Toby Greene during the qualifying final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Even though some of his teammates were clued in – “he might have quickly told me,” a sheepish Will Hayward admitted – it was far from the most exhilarating part of Papley’s Saturday afternoon.

While no-one involved in the incident might have recognised him despite being completely decked out in Swans gear, he quickly became the man of the hour after helping mastermind Sydney’s come-from-behind victory.

Having barely trained for two months, and only getting through his first full session days before the match.

Papley finished with two goals, four goal assists and 16 disposals in a remarkable performance that showcased both his talent and selflessness.

HEENEY FROM 65 SCORES LEVEL!

What is this game?!#AFLSwansGiantspic.twitter.com/ZlqhoR9duU

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 7, 2024

The SCG crowd got a glimpse of his memorable celebrations but then also witnessed three of the best handballs you’ll ever see in the final quarter to set his teammates up for goals that would eventually win them the game.

Despite barely having any energy left in the tank, Papley knew he just had to find a way to keep going.

Whether it was intercept marking or creating a contest over the much taller Connor Idun, he continually delivered for his team in the same way he has for almost a decade.

Papley lit up the SCG as the Swans produced a comeback for the ages. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It would probably be up there with top three wins, for sure,” Papley said.

“When the games are like that, you don’t feel much to be honest. I just keep going and the adrenaline of the crowd, that’s the last thing I was thinking about that I was tired. I just wanted to win.

“It was just one of those quarters that everything was working. I haven’t played in five weeks and I’ve been doing a lot of touch stuff with the coaches because I couldn’t train.

“When Joel (Amartey) kicked that goal, I couldn’t move. I think I put my arms up and yeah, couldn’t move. I was absolutely spent. I think when the siren goes, it’s your whole body feels the relief of the win.

“To be able to perform under pressure in a big final is something I’m proud of and hopefully, I can do it again.”

Papley admits there were mental battles he had to push through in the rehabilitation of his ankle injury.

The footage of him in despair as he limped off the Gabba back in July looked like a man who thought his season might be over.

The small forward’s immediate return to form played a big factor in the Swans’ win over the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But it’s a credit to his tireless work that he never lost sight of getting back on the field. And his immediate impact was expected by his teammates.

“When you get injured, you fear the worst, as everyone does,” Papley said.

“It was a bit of a weird movement that I did, I was very fortunate it wasn’t bone.

“It was just ligaments and things, a bit of a rare injury they were saying. But it’s good now.

“I couldn’t stand watching, especially when we weren’t going that well. But yeah, it’s the best job in the world.”

About a 6/10 on the Tom Papley Celebration Scale™️#AFLLionsSwanspic.twitter.com/RkGx4kqBBr

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Hayward added: “To kick a couple of goals, to have four goal assists, for him to be a massive reason we won the game was awesome.

“He’s timed his run nicely and it’s good to see him fit and firing ready for a prelim.”

Papley now has the added benefit of a week off to push through a solid training block and prepare for next Friday’s preliminary final at the SCG.

But even after last week’s unexpected collision, he won’t be making any changes to his game day routine as the Swans look to book their place in the grand final.

“I actually got a Fat Boy (bike) just recently, but nah, I’ll be taking the car for sure.”

Originally published as Tom Papley speaks on his pre-qualifying final car crash, mid-season injury and Swans heroics