Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley says the calf soreness he experienced in the pre-season has been a "blessing in disguise", as he looks to make his return to match play in Sydney's AAMI Community Series match against GWS on Thursday.
Papley has had an interrupted pre-season campaign dealing with a calf issue, with the 29-year-old working through a modified program.
Speaking on the first episode of "More than Footy" presented by Bing Lee for 2026, Papley, who will feature as a guest host this year, acknowledged it had been a frustrating period for him.
"It's been a bit of a frustrating couple of years to be honest. I did my ankle in 2024, six weeks before the finals and I sort of rushed back and played the finals," Papley said.
"Last year I had a stress fracture in my heel and then I did my hammy, sort of a little one week hammy, two week hammy, and I played the rest of the year.
"But then I came back and I felt really good before Chrissie and did my calf, which is frustrating."
The Swans are now just under a week from starting their campaign on March 5 against the Blues at the SCG.
Despite the setback, Papley said he took the opportunity to get himself in the best shape possible for the upcoming season.
"I think I've had a good run at it now and I'm feeling really good," Papley said.
"Hopefully it's a blessing in disguise, I sort of get my body right and have a full crack at 2026.
"Obviously been building from probably since the new year, sort of that was our target to play the first practise game against the Giants and we mapped it out. I'll play probably 60, 70 (minutes) this week and see what happens with the Blues and see what minutes I get, if he picks me."
In the full episode, Papley gives incredible insight to the game plan overhaul this season, his chats with Justin McInerney before his contract extension, and playing against familiar faces in Opening Round.
‘More than Footy’ features guests connected to the red and white family to chat candidly about the club, recent events in the AFL community with a Swans focus, recent game highlights, funny stories with and involving players. The show illustrates that the reach of footy extends well beyond the game on the field.
Catch up on all the episodes of More than Footy below.
