[2] But throughout the year, Papley had a desire to return home back to Victoria despite being contracted to the Swans until 2023 and was heavily linked to both Carlton and North Melbourne.

Papley was selected to play for Victoria in the State of Origin Bushfire Relief game, where he kicked 5 goals.

Papley played all 17 games of the 2020 AFL season, kicking 26 goals and leading the Swans' goalkicking tally for the second year in a row.

Papley missed the first six rounds of the 2022 season due to a preseason hamstring injury he suffered in a practice match with GWS.

[5] His grandfathers, Jeff Bray and Max Papley, were teammates with the South Melbourne Swans from 1964 to 1966, before the team's move to Sydney.