Australian Football

Max Papley's ostensibly lethargic approach masked a prodigious football talent. Much of his best football was played during a 96-game stint with Moorabbin which culminated in a 19.16 (130) to 9.12 (66) first division Grand Final trouncing of Sandringham in 1963. Papley skippered the victors and was best afield with a six-goal performance from centre half forward. 

The following year he crossed to VFL club South Melbourne where, playing mainly on the half forward line or across centre, he enjoyed an auspicious but fleeting 59-game league career. He also booted 66 goals, represented the VFL, and won South's 1966 best and fairest award, but in 1968 he decided to return to the VFA as captain-coach of second division Williamstown. 

Under Papley's command the Seagulls made the 1968 second division Grand Final, but lost a high scoring thriller to Geelong West by two goals. The following season, however, with Papley 'on fire' as a ruckrover, Williamstown made amends with a 15.14 (104) to 12.12 (84) Grand Final defeat of Sunshine. The club's good form continued in 1970 in first division, and it ended the year as the first ever club to reach the Grand Final the season after securing promotion. The Seagulls were confident, having got to within a goal of Grand Final opponent Prahran in the Second Semi Final, but when the chips were down it was the Two Blues who rose to the occasion, ultimately pulling away to win by a deceptively comfortable margin of 50 points.

Max Papley's significance in the history of the Williamstown Football Club was emphasised in May 2003 when he was selected as centreman in the Seagulls' official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'. His grandson Tom Papley has played for Sydney since 2016.

Author - John Devaney