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FORMER South Melbourne best and fairest winner Max Papley shed tears of joy when his grandson Tom was selected by the Swans in the 2015 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
Max Papley, Tom’s grandfather on his father’s side, was a star midfielder for South in a brief 59-game career from 1964-67, won the club champion award in 1966, and represented Victoria the following year before joining Williamstown in the VFA as captain-coach.
The Swans flavour runs right through the family tree with Tom's other grandfather, Jeff Bray, a star of South Australian footy, who also played for South Melbourne alongside Papley.
Click here to watch Tom Papley's highlights
While the national draft was a disappointment for the family when Tom was overlooked, Friday's rookie draft continued their history with the Swans, when the small forward was taken with the club's first selection.
"Max was the first person I rang because he's been my biggest supporter over the last couple of years, and we both couldn't stop crying to be honest," Tom Papley told AFL.com.au.
"I said I'd call him back and when we saw each other about an hour and a half later, we just gave each other a big hug.
"He just said 'Well done I'm proud of you', and Mum and Dad, who were both at work when I found out, they were obviously really proud too.
"I've worked hard and got what I wanted to achieve."
Max Papley was a multi-talented sportsman who was also a successful cricketer, but it wasn't until Tom was in his teens that he started to realise how good his grandfather was.
In fact, one of the best endorsements Max Papley received came from the greatest player in the history of the South Melbourne era, a triple-Brownlow medallist and the man for whom the Swans best and fairest award is now named.
"Bob Skilton came up to me one time and told me Max was a champion of a player, and I thought 'Geez, that's coming from one of the best players ever', and everyone seems to know him," Tom Papley said.
"I've seen a little bit of footage of him (Max) running around, it was in black and white, but I haven't seen too much.
"I've just heard everyone say that he's the best player they've seen."
Tom Papley shared his grandfather's love of cricket, and like Max, had alternated between his two sporting loves until he was 17. But it was then that Max told his grandson to give the whites away to concentrate on his AFL dream.
Tom Papley drags down No.5 draft pick Darcy Parish in the TAC Cup. Picture: AFL Media
It was an ironic piece of advice, because Max Papley's career ended prematurely when South Melbourne wouldn't accommodate his cricket commitments in the summer, and he chose to continue his footy at Williamstown.
His grandson's career with the Swans is now on target, and Tom's dream is a reality.
"Max just told me to have a real crack at the (Gippsland) Power, and although I didn't make it as an 18-year-old, (Gippsland regional manager) Peter Francis and (Gippsland coach) Leigh Brown called me and asked me to be a mature-age player," Tom Papley said.
"From there I didn't look back and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and that was all thanks to Max.
"Ever since then he's driven me to the game every week, and I know that he'll be there for me every time."
Tom Papley celebrates a goal during Gippsland Power's round four clash with Geelong Falcons.
