LIVEWIRE Sydney forward Tom Papley says he's fitter than in his breakthrough year of 2016, despite undergoing two bouts of off-season knee surgery. 

Papley was Sydney's second highest goalkicker in 2016 behind Lance Franklin, kicking 29 and supplying the defensive pressure demanded by coach John Longmire.

A Grand Final loss denied him a fairytale end to his first season and 20-year-old Papley has since endured a double dose of adversity.

He had surgery for bilateral compartment syndrome in December and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in February.

"I probably did four months without running," Papley said on Friday.

"Credit to the medical team, I feel a lot fitter this year than last year even though I've had that smaller pre-season."

Papley has kicked four goals in four games and last week against Brisbane tallied 19 touches, just one below his career high.

"I think I'm back to full match fitness now, I think I've found a bit of form in the last two games and found my feet a bit more," he said.

His return, along with the emergence of Will Hayward, has given Sydney two dangerous ground level forwards to complement the aerial threats posed by Franklin, Sam Reid and Kurt Tippett.

"It's always good to have another little mate down there," Papley said referring to 18-year-old Hayward, who has kicked nine goals in his first six senior games.

'Will is good. He brings a bit of energy and a bit of spark."

Sydney's forward depth is set to improve with Papley, Tippett, Gary Rohan and Kieren Jack gradually working their way back from injuries.

The Swans have already lost more home and away games than they did in all of 2016, but Papley said last week's opening win of the campaign over the Brisbane Lions had brought some relief.

"It takes a little bit of pressure off the team and the coaching staff, but we always wanted to keep positive," Papley said.

Sydney's bid to climb up the ladder continues on Sunday at Etihad Stadium against a North Melbourne team coming off back-to-back wins and an impressive victory over table-topping Adelaide.

"North are in some good form and we've just got to bring that same hard edge that we brought last week," Papley said.