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Sydney forward Tom Papley crashed his car on his way to their AFL qualifying final, then put on a show to help the Swans book a preliminary final spot.

Sydney star Tom Papley's return to the AFL from injury began with a car crash, and he kept it quiet from the Swans.

On his way to the SCG for his first game since suffering an ankle injury, Papley was battling nerves when he rear-ended a vehicle in front of him after another car had tried an illegal left turn.

A week on from their thrilling six-point qualifying-final win over rivals GWS, the livewire forward joked he'll be riding a motorcycle to their preliminary final.

"I actually got a Fat Boy just recently," Papley said on Friday.

"Nah, I'll be taking the car for sure.

"It's (the car) not too bad, not as bad as the Mazda."

Keeping his crash secret from the team and coach John Longmire, Papley showed no signs of rust against GWS and delivered a masterclass performance.

He slotted two goals, collected 16 disposals and assisted four goals, which included setting up Isaac Heeney's stunning equaliser in the final term.

Winning the battle against towering defensive duo Connor Idun and Sam Taylor, Papley handpassed over his shoulder to Heeney, who then launched from inside the centre square towards home.

Joel Amartey, quiet all game, then kicked the match-winner with less than three minutes on the clock.

"I just went for it and jumped, probably jumped a bit early, and got the spoil down and seen 'Heens' there," Papley said.

"It was a good moment and 'Heens' to finish the goal was pretty special.

"There were plenty of great moments in the last quarter and I think the big thing was we took our moments, and that's probably what won us the game.

"It was just one of those quarters where everything was working."

Such was Papley's efforts he had nothing left in the tank when the final siren sounded.

"I couldn't go anymore. I was absolutely spent," he said.

"When Joel kicked that goal, I couldn't move. I think I put my arms up and I just couldn't move anymore. 

"Then we had to go again another minute so it was an amazing win.

"When the siren goes ... just the relief of the win.

"Obviously, I haven't played in five weeks and I've been doing a lot of touch and stuff with the coaches because I can't train, and probably only trained this week for the first time in five weeks.

"To be able to form under pressure and in a big final is something I'm proud of, and hopefully can do it again."

The harbour city will host a preliminary final against the winner of the Port Adelaide-Hawthorn semi-final on Friday night.

Asked if he had a tip, Papley said: "I'll just be barracking they go extra time.

"Hopefully it's a tough game for them, and they go hard, and it's a close one."