Tom Papley playing the perfect support role to Lance Franklin

COLEMAN medallist Lance Franklin may be the star of the Sydney show, but when it comes to kicking goals when it matters, there’s none better than fellow Swans forward Tom Papley.

There’s been no second year blues for Tom Papley. Picture: AAP

IF Lance Franklin wins the Oscar for his leading role in the Swans’ forward line Tom Papley gets the nod for best supporting player.

In his second year in the AFL the small forward from Bunyip is developing an impressive body of work with 29 goals this season after 28 in his rookie campaign.

But it’s when he is kicking them that is really making a difference for John Longmire’s team with 13 coming in the last quarter and often when the match is in the balance.

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He booted the winning major against the Crows in Adelaide in Round 22, forced a silly free kick out of Geelong’s Mitch Duncan in Round 20 and kicked two in the last term against GWS in round 17 to get the Swans home again.

It’s not just the goals which are making a difference. His defensive efforts have been terrific.

As next Saturday’s elimination final at the SCG approaches, Brendan Goddard will be having nightmare flashbacks to Papley’s smother in the dying seconds of their round 14 clash. It led to Gary Rohan’s goal after the siren and a one-point win for Sydney.

Tom Papley has kicked 13 goals in last quarters this season. Picture: AAP

Papley says his strong output when matches are on the line is reward for his hard work many months ago.

“The pre-season work I did is helping me run out matches,” Papley said.

“You have to keep working and persisting. Against Adelaide I was trying to get front and square all day and it took to the last minute and my opponent Luke Brown had done a good job on me all night. It popped into my lap and I was lucky enough to finish.”

The former plumber’s fitness levels are surprising considering the injury interruptions he had before Christmas when he had surgery for compartment syndrome in his shins and an operation on his knee.

“Alex Johnson and Jarrad McVeigh were in rehab at the same time and I was,” Papley said.

“I just jumped on with them and watched how they went about it. They bring plenty of energy to the group and it makes it a lot easier and gets you back quickly.”

Papley’s grandfathers Max Papley and the late Jeff Bray played for the South Melbourne Swans in the 1960s. He still speaks to Max twice a week, mostly about footy.

“I usually talk to him after the game and on a Friday night,” Papley said.

“He lets me go about it my way and encourages me rather than criticising.”

Originally published as Tom Papley playing the perfect support role to Lance Franklin