Small forward Tom Papley admits it’s a surreal feeling preparing for a finals series less than ten months after being drafted onto the Swans rookie list.
The former plumber by trade was overlooked by every Club before he was taken by the Swans with pick 14 in the 2016 rookie draft.
After a strong pre-season Papley was selected to make his debut in Round 1 against Collingwood and never looked back.
Papley went from strength to strength throughout the season booting 20 goals in 16 matches, only missing a month of football through the middle of the season with shin soreness.
The 20-year-old admits he is pinching himself at the opportunity that now presents itself.
“It is pretty exciting as not many blokes get to play a final at all in their career and I am hopefully lucky enough to play one on the weekend,” Papley said.
“It is pretty surreal but I am just trying to soak it up at the moment and then when I get out there it will be fine.”
“I thought I might have been watching them but hopefully I am lucky enough to be playing on the weekend and hopefully go deep into finals.”
“We have that chance to live out that lifetime dream of winning a premiership as a player and also a club which is pretty special.”
Papley was one of two Swans nominated for the 2016 AFL Rising Star award throughout the 2016 with his teammate Callum Mills taking out the award on Tuesday.
