In 2015 he was shunned at the National Draft and trudging through mud as an apprentice plumber.

But on Saturday afternoon young Swans forward Tom Papley will run out for his 50^th AFL game in Sydney’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Papley signed with the Swans as their first selection at the 2016 Rookie Draft, held in November of 2015, and hasn’t looked back since.

The 21-year-old will burst through the banner with a host of other players who, although now well-established AFL footballers, fought their way off a Rookie list.

The likes of Kieren Jack, Heath Grundy, Jake Lloyd and Ben Ronke all lugged themselves from Rookie Draft circles and up in the AFL lights.

Jack has compiled a 238-game career, Grundy is four games off his 250^th, Lloyd in Round 8 became the quickest Swan in history to reach 100 games and Ronke kicked seven goals in his third match. 

Papley lines up alongside best mate Will Hayward in the Swans’ forward 50 and his good pal credits the milestone man’s rise to the leaders at the Club.

“Once you get here it doesn’t take long to realise what’s required to play,” Hayward said.

“You’ve got some of the best leaders in the game and they really drive the standards and you’ve got no choice but to buy in.

“That’s why there are a few young boys playing and it’s just an exciting place to be when that’s the case.”

The Swans recruited Papley from the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup.

He banked an impressive first pre-season with the Swans and piled up 20 games in 2016 and again the following year.

He made his debut in Round 1, 2016 as Sydney soared to an 80-point victory over Collingwood and on Saturday is looking to mark another milestone in winning ways.