SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Tom Papley of the Swans kicks a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 09, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
Sydney CEO Tom Harley says the Swans are hopeful they can keep contracted forward Tom Papley after he confirmed Papley’s desire to return home to Melbourne.
It was revealed last week the small forward had personal reasons for wanting to return to Victoria, but Harley said they will do what is best for the Swans.
"It’s probably not too dissimilar to the (Joe) Daniher situation with the shoe on the other foot really," he told SEN Breakfast.
"Tom’s a contracted player, he’s got a long-term contract with us, came fourth in the club championship and led our goal kicking so he’s a really important player.
"We’re aware that he’s expressed a desire to get to Melbourne. That’s evolved at the same sort of timeline as Joe, they’re not linked, so I’d expect our footy department guys to have some conversations with clubs coming to them about Tom.
"Now, there’s been the link to Carlton, we understand that, we know that, but what we don’t know and what will probably evolve over the next little while is Tom’s keenness to get to Melbourne, but from where the club sits, he’s a contracted player and we will do what is best for the footy club.
"Not at this stage (can I see Papley getting traded), but conversations as far as I know haven’t been had with prospective suitors. We know that he does want to get to Melbourne, he has been clear on that."
While the Swans are reluctant to lose Papley, they will be making a play for contracted Essendon forward Joe Daniher after he expressed a desire to join the Swans late last week.