AFL: Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley to miss round 1 Sydney derby and beyond with hamstring injury

Tom Papley is the second big-name small forward officially out of the round 1 Sydney derby, joining suspended Giant Toby Greene

Swans star Tom Papley is undergoing scans on his injured hamstring on Monday. Picture: Michael Klein

The round 1 Sydney derby has been robbed of a second headline act, with All-Australian Swan Tom Papley facing an extended absence because of a hamstring strain.

The brilliant forward is set to miss between four and six weeks with the setback in a significant blow to the Swans, who enjoyed a charmed injury run last year.

Papley exited last week’s practice match against the GWS Giants at Lavington Sports Ground, Albury, in the first quarter as a precaution but the injury is worse than suspected.

Scans on Monday confirmed Papley sustained a moderate grade hamstring strain that will rule him out of Sunday’s Community Series clash with North Melbourne at Giants Stadium and well beyond.

Ruckman Callum Sinclair (concussion) is also unavailable for the Kangaroos match as he goes through the AFL’s protocols.

Swans officials were holding out hope initially that Papley would be fit enough to face the Giants in the season opener at Accor Stadium on March 19.

The suspended Toby Greene will already be missing from the derby, which officials from both clubs hope will surpass the record 60,222 attendance from their 2016 qualifying final at the same venue.

Sydney is scheduled to play against Geelong, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and injury-ravaged West Coast in the month after the GWS game.

Papley, 25, has played more games (13) and kicked more goals (22) against Greater Western Sydney than any other club, including a four-goal haul against Leon Cameron’s men in round 18 last year.

His feistiness and animated playing style makes him one of the Swans’ great entertainers as well, similarly to what Greene brings to the Giants.

Papley is fresh from kicking a career-best 43 goals in 2021 that culminated in his first All-Australian selection, and he has 189 goals from 122 games in total.

Sam Wicks will likely carry a bigger load in Papley’s absence, while Errol Gulden, who is expected to log more midfield minutes this year, could be anchored to the forward line, too.

Ben Ronke, Lewis Taylor and top-20 draftee Angus Sheldrick could also receive greater opportunities.

Another option is for Sydney to pick a taller attack, with Hayden McLean, Peter Ladhams, Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald among those hoping to play alongside Lance Franklin.

Callum Mills (Achilles) is the other main concern for the Swans, who are yet to confirm when the new co-captain will play again.

Sam Naismith (knee), who is out for the season, Amartey (groin), Marc Sheather (foot), Corey Warner and Colin O’Riordan (both concussion) and Lewis Melican all missed last week’s practice match.

Scans to determine key Swan’s injury fate

Sydney’s All-Australian forward Tom Papley underwent scans on Monday to determine the extent of the left hamstring injury he suffered in Friday night’s practice game.

Papley exited the loss to the GWS Giants in the first quarter as a precautionary measure, with the Swans hopeful he sustained only a strain.

The 25-year-old’s status comes as co-captain Callum Mills (achilles) tries to prove his readiness for the season opener against the Giants on March 19, starting with a critical training session on Monday.

Sydney plays North Melbourne in the second of a double-header at Giants Stadium this Sunday, but the round 1 clash at Accor Stadium is a far bigger priority.

The Swans and Giants are aiming to surpass the record 60,222 crowd that turned up to the same venue in 2016 for their qualifying final clash.

Swans big man Callum Sinclair (right) will miss Sunday’s Community Series game against North Melbourne as he recovers from a concussion. Picture: Michael Klein

Ruckman Callum Sinclair (concussion) will miss the Kangaroos clash as he goes through the AFL’s protocols following a heavy collision with Greater Western Sydney’s Kieren Briggs.

Papley, who is contracted until the end of the 2023 season, enjoyed a career-best season last year, kicking 43 goals and averaging almost 14 disposals while playing all 23 matches.

He and superstar teammate Lance Franklin headline a Sydney forward line that will be vital to their success in 2022.

Isaac Heeney is set to spend more time in the midfield this year after kicking 36 goals last year, with Will Hayward, Errol Gulden, Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald, Sam Wicks and Joel Amartey jockeying for spots.

The Swans would love to have Tom Papley available in round 1 against the Giants. Picture: Steve Bell

Recruit Peter Ladhams, who kicked two goals on Friday night, will also be in attack whenever he isn’t spelling Tom Hickey in the ruck.

None of Mills, Sam Naismith (knee) – who is out for the season – Joel Amartey (groin), Marc Sheather (foot), Corey Warner and Colin O’Riordan (both concussion) and Lewis Melican played against GWS.

Swans coach John Longmire said on Friday night that Mills was making good progress but it was still too early to tell whether he would be ready for round 1.

“He’ll have a big session on Monday and we’ll see how he goes through the course of the week,” Longmire said.

“His progress last week was sound and we’ll see how he goes this week before we make a decision on him.”

Originally published as AFL: Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley to miss round 1 Sydney derby and beyond with hamstring injury