Swan Papley regains fitness and form

He's had two bouts of knee surgery, but nippy Sydney AFL forward Tom Papley says his fitness is superior to his first year in the AFL in 2016.

Livewire Sydney AFL 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, but didn't break into the senior team this year until round four.

"I feel a lot fitter this year than last year even though I've had that smaller pre-season," Papley said