Sydney Swans star forward Tom Papley has allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine in a roadside drug test.
The 30-year-old was stopped by NSW Police on Lang Road at Centennial Park about 10.30am on Monday for a licence check.
Papley was issued with a court attendance notice for allegedly driving while his licence was suspended over an unpaid parking fine.
He also underwent a random drug test, which returned a preliminary positive result. A second sample was taken for analysis, with the results not expected for at least four weeks.
The Swans said Papley informed the club ‘immediately’. The AFL has also been notified.
The club then confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Tom Papley (above) allegedly returned a positive result in a roadside drug test
‘Papley was issued with a court attendance notice for driving with a suspended licence due to non-payment of a parking fine,’ a Sydney Swans spokesperson said.
‘During the roadside stop, Papley completed a random drug test which returned a positive preliminary test indication.
‘A second sample was taken for analysis. The results from the second test are expected to take at least four weeks.
‘Papley immediately advised the club regarding this matter and the club subsequently informed the AFL.’
The club added that it would have no further comment pending the outcome of the police process.
Sydney CEO Matthew Pavlich said he was ‘disappointed’ at the positive test and revelation of a suspended licence.
‘We’re obviously bitterly disappointed that we’re here talking about this today. We’re really disappointed in Tom himself and we voiced that pretty directly to him yesterday,’ he said.
‘We apologise unreservedly to our members, fans and corporate partners. We’ve let them down again and we must be better. It’s a really disappointing time for the footy club.
Papley (pictured with wife Annie) has played for the Swans since 2016
‘But given this is a police matter, we cannot make any further comment until such time as the secondary sample comes through and that test is validated.
‘We’ll work through that process over the next period and we’ll update everyone after that.’
Papley has not been charged with a drug-driving offence, and Daily Mail does not suggest that the preliminary roadside indication establishes that he committed such an offence.
Papley was selected by Sydney in the 2015 rookie draft and made his AFL debut the following year.
He played at least 20 games in each of his first four seasons and has scored 337 goals throughout his 216 games.
He played in the 2016, 2022 and 2024 grand finals.
The Swans were again premiership contenders this year and reached the preliminary final amid a turbulent end to their season.
The Swans lost to Fremantle on September 18, one month after a night at the Pullman Hotel in east Melbourne saw the team fall under scrutiny.
Papley was not involved in that alleged incident.
Victoria Police launched an investigation after a report of sexual assault at the hotel in the early hours of August 17, following the Swans’ match against Essendon.
Full details of the allegations have not been made public, and the Victoria Police investigation remains ongoing.
Letters from lawyers representing two of the women were recently sent to players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and Nick Blakey.
Another player embroiled in the saga, James Jordon, did not receive a letter.
All five players have denied the sexual assault allegations and no charges have been laid. Daily Mail does not suggest that any of the players committed the alleged offence. The matter remains under police investigation.
It’s understood the women are considering a civil claim.
