SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Tom Papley of the Swans watches on during the round 20 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at GIANTS Stadium on August 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos via Getty Images )

Sydney will be nervously awaiting the 2022 AFL finals schedule after gun forward Tom Papley suffered a concussion in his side's clash with St Kilda.

The head knock was a result of some friendly fire with teammate Lance Franklin, prompting the Swans to use their medical sub in the opening half.

Sydney confirmed Papley had suffered a concussion in the knock, meaning the All-Australian forward will be required to follow the AFL's 12-day concussion protocol period.

The sideline stint will place Papley out of action and training until Friday, September 2 - what will likely be the second day of the opening week of finals.

The AFL are expected to schedule a Thursday night fixture among the four matches to start the post-season, with Papley to miss the match should Sydney be scheduled to open finals.

A large enough win over the Saints will see the Swans clinch a top-two finish and home qualifying final, while a third-placed finish looms just as likely should they win by a smaller margin.

A loss will hand third place to Collingwood, with Sydney taking fifth place and Fremantle holding a spot in the top four.

The AFL are expected to release the week one finals fixture shortly after the end of Round 23.