Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
"Bittersweet": Papley reacts to massive Curnow trade
Sam Kosack • October 16th, 2025 7:31 pm
Tom Papley has opened up about the arrival of Charlie Curnow to the Swans, labelling the trade “bittersweet”.
Curnow joins the Swans from Carlton after one of the biggest trades in AFL history, which saw Sydney give up well-loved clubman Will Hayward, Pick 11, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick for Curnow, Pick 31, Pick 42 and a 2027 second-round pick.
Ollie Florent also left the Swans to the Blues in exchange for a future third-rounder in a separate trade.
Hayward and Florent each played 184 games for the Swans since being drafted in 2016; the same year as Papley.
“It's bittersweet for me,” Papley told SEN 1170 Drive.
“Obviously, I'm very, very close with Will Hayward and Ollie Florent, they're my close mates, sort of come up with them since I was 18-19 years old.
“To see them go is sad, and obviously you're very close with them, and, as we know, it's a business and sometimes that's just footy.
“At the moment, AFL is really mad into the trading and sort of getting a little bit like the American footy, which is good for the game, good for content, and good for everyone watching.”
The Swans have a strong history of big key forwards with Curnow joining a long list including Buddy Franklin and Tony Lockett.
Curnow is a dual-Coleman medallist and his addition up front for the Swans is an important signature in their pursuit of another premiership.
Despite his sadness around losing Hayward and Florent, Papely was looking forward to lining up alongside Curnow in the forwards.
“We bring the best forward in the game into our club and our team, and it's pretty exciting,” Papley said.
“I've run out next to Buddy Franklin, who's probably the greatest the game's ever seen, and now Charlie's (Curnow) probably the best forward in the game at the moment, so I feel pretty lucky to be able to run out next to him.
“He's a big boy and kicks a lot of goals and hopefully he can next year for us.”
