Sydney have been dealt a massive blow with dynamic forward Tom Papley ruled out for the start of the AFL season.

Papley suffered a moderate hamstring injury in the Swans’ practice match against GWS on Friday.

The 25-year-old will be out for four-to-six weeks, meaning he will miss at least the round one clash with the Giants at Stadium Australia on 19 March.

“Tom has had a terrific pre-season and while this is clearly a setback he sets high standards in the way he trains and plays, so we know he will do everything he can to minimise the disruption to his season,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said.

“We will see what sort of progress Tom makes over the next few weeks but we’re still hopeful of having Tom available early in the season.”

It means that neither Sydney team will have their most exciting forward with GWS star Toby Greene suspended for the first five weeks of the season.

A large crowd is expected for the first full capacity AFL match in Sydney since 2019.

Papley secured his first All-Australian jacket last year after booting 43 goals and spending time through the midfield.

He has slotted 189 goals in 122 games after debuting in the opening round in 2016.

Sydney will be desperate to atone for their heartbreaking one-point loss against their cross-town rivals in last year’s elimination final.

Increased attention will be on Lance Franklin, with the superstar veteran needing just five goals to reach 1000 majors for his career.

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