Tom Papley will deepen his family connection at Sydney when he wears his grandfather's No.11 from 2018.

Max Papley – one of two of the 21-year-old's grandfathers who played for South Melbourne in the 1960s – wore No.11 for 45 of his 59 matches before switching to No.17 in his final season.

"Max is on the locker, so I thought it'd be a good bit of history if one day I could get a premiership cup next to my name and get my name up there as well, which would be pretty special," Tom said.

Staff writers for AFL.com.au