Tom Papley ties to Sydney run deep with both grandfathers South Melbourne guns

SYDNEY youngster Tom Papley is following the family footsteps in red and white, the product of a friendship born between his grandparents Max Papley and Jeff Bray.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Tom Papley of the Swans kicks a goal during the round one AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on March 26, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

IN 1945 Max Papley sat on his mother’s shoulders, a five-year-old kid trying to catch a glimpse of his South Melbourne heroes as they literally went to battle with Carlton at Princes Park in the infamous bloodbath Grand Final.

Seventy-one years later, his grandson Tom Papley is wearing the same red and white colours, the product of a friendship born between his grandparents Jeff Bray and Max.

The pair became mates in their years together at South Melbourne between 1964-66, remaining close after Bray had returned to West Adelaide and Papley joined VFA club Williamstown.

When Tom was taken by Sydney in last year’s rookie draft, it was a bittersweet moment for Max.

“I got choked up, partly because Tom was going to play for Sydney but also because Jeff couldn’t be there to see it after he died six years ago,” said Papley, 75, who lives in retirement in Bunyip.

“In 1963 Jeff was regarded as the best centre half-back in the country.

“Jeff and I became best mates at South and stayed best mates to the point that when we had a son, he told me as the father of four daughters he could account for one of them just so long as I shared the wedding costs.

“When David and Susie married it was like a fairytale — and now Tom is part of that.”

Tom Papley has made an immediate impact at the Swans as a small forward. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Grandfather and grandson are very close, the pair travelling to games together last year when Tom tried to attract some bidders through his frantic attack on the ball for Gippsland Power.

Collingwood and Essendon showed some interest, but ultimately the fairytale element won out when the Swans swooped.

Max was hoping his grandson may have a desire to wear the No.11 he played in when winning the best-and-fairest for South in 1966, displaying form that prompted South legend Bob Skilton to describe him as the best he played with at the club.

“He wasn’t interested in No.11 at all, saying that Jeremy Laidler had it, and all he wanted was the No.41 that “Mummy” used to wear.

You see Shane Mumford is also a Bunyip boy so Tom was just that pleased when he got the number.”

And Sydney is just pleased they got Papley, 19, a former top junior cricketer and fanatical red and white supporter, having nominated “small forward” as the area they lacked in when asked by Swans’ recruiting staff.

He didn’t realise he would be given the chance to fill that slot so quickly, something he has done with aplomb in the opening two rounds.

Max Papley.

Jeff Bray.

His attack on the ball, and anything between he and it, is ferocious despite his 71kg frame.

His grandfather isn’t surprised.

“He’s always been small but he’s always had plenty of heart,” Max said.

“I just wish Jeff could be here to watch him because he would be so proud like we all are.

“It can be a hard world, the AFL, but Tom will give it everything.

“I’ve had two other grandsons who also played at AFL level in Ben (Ross), who played 18 games with Hawthorn and North Melbourne, and Michael (Ross) who played two games with Essendon and was part of that disgusting, disgraceful program there in 2012.

“Fortunately Tom is at a really good club in Sydney and I couldn’t be more impressed with the set-up.”