Tom Papley and Will Hayward in disastrous development for Swans after AFL loss to Brisbane

The Sydney Swans' defeat to the Brisbane Lions on Sunday afternoon did little to hurt their minor premiership aspirations but the injuries out of the game could have a huge bearing on their flag hopes. The AFL ladder leaders suffered their fourth defeat of the season - all by less than a goal - in an 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) thriller but John Longmire's main concern will be around the fitness of star forwards Tom Papley and Will Hayward.

Papley went down just minutes after fellow Swan Dane Rampe was substituted out with calf tightness and following the game Longmire revealed Hayward had also picked up an ankle injury but managed to battle through the second half with the side short on forward reinforcements. Papley's right ankle twisted when he fell in a marking contest with Brisbane's Brandon Starcevich in the second quarter. The Sydney star initially attempted to run it off but was unable to and called for assistance, as he couldn't put any weight through his right foot. He hopped on one leg before the physios helped him off the ground.

“That does look worrying now for Papley, doesn’t it,” Anthony Hudson said in commentary. “He can’t put any weight on it. He is in serious pain.” Papley was heard screaming "f***" as he was assisted from the field and didn't return, sporting a moon boot on the bench for the second half.

And Longmire delivered the news that all Swans fans feared but hoped wouldn't be the case, that he had suffered a serious ankle injury. “No good. He’s out, I think it’s a serious ankle (injury). He’s out for at least this game and we’ll see what happens after that,” Swans coach John Longmire said.

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Will Hayward set for a stint on the sidelines?

Longmire confirmed Hayward may also be out of their upcoming clash with the Western Bulldogs after picking up an ankle injury. Despite being in clear discomfort, the 25-year-old remained on the field for the start of the third quarter, having played out the first half following treatment.

Hayward misfired several shots at goal early in the term and, according to commentators, flagged he needed to come off again. “He’s not right. He put his hand straight up there,” Gerard Healy said.

Hayward managed to return in the fourth quarter with the side short on forward stocks and even kicked two goals to keep the Swans in the hunt. However, Callum Ah Chee kicked the match-winning goal for the Lions to move them up to second on the ladder, bouncing back from a horror 2-5 start to the season. Brisbane will aim to extend its winning run further next weekend against rivals Gold Coast while the Swans are back at the SCG to welcome the Western Bulldogs.