Sydney Swans coach John Longmire likened Lance Franklin’s forward-line presence to that of a teacher in the crèche earlier this week.

But lively young forward Tom Papley, who brought up a half-century of AFL games in the recent clash with the Brisbane Lions, says he’s helping build the blocks himself.

The losses of Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery and Heath Grundy meant Sydney met North Melbourne on Sunday consisting of 10 players with 33 games of AFL experience or less.

Among the host of youngsters in the Swans’ forward set-up are dynamos Ben Ronke and Will Hayward, who at various times this season have chimed in with crucial goals and applied tremendous defensive pressure.

“With Hayward and Ronke down forward there is a bit more experience in me,” Papley said.

“I do enjoy sometimes directing them around and teaching them things I might know. The way we move the ball and leading patterns are the big things I try to help the younger ones with.

“Lance helps a lot with that. He’s tremendous with the way he talks to us younger boys and then I try to pass that down to Ronke and the rest of the younger boys.”

A long list of Sydney and Gold Coast young guns will do battle on Saturday when the Swans host the Suns at the SCG.

One of the hottest young Gold Coast stars Sydney’s forward line is set to face is 22-year-old Lachie Weller.

The former Docker was judged Fremantle’s best first-year player in 2016 and took out an AFL Rising Star nomination in his debut season.

Youngsters Touk Miller, Jack Martin and Will Brodie buoy the Suns’ midfield with their ball-winning abilities, while Nick Holman can do damage as a forward.

Up-and-comers Brayden Crossley and Peter Wright add further strength to Gold Coast’s forward stocks and offer big man Jarrod Witts pinch-hitting support in the ruck.

Papley backs the Swans’ emerging generation of talent to match the Suns’ star youth.

“It’s great seeing Ronke and Hayward doing well,” Papley said.

“It’s good for the Club and the young boys are doing really well, as is Ollie Florent, and Colin O’Riordan came in for his first game this week and didn’t look out of place at all. Aliir is getting better and better every week too. 

“The game on the weekend was a really good win. To get the win just shows the depth we have at the Club. It’s really exciting times.”