Drawing similarities with AFL legend Lance Franklin's slow start life at the Swans, Papley is backing the new Sydney spearhead to prove his doubters wrong.
Curnow has yet to live up to his billing after Sydney ruthlessly traded Will Hayward and a raft of draft picks to secure the former Carlton star.
The Swans gave up pick 11 in 2025 and first-round selections in 2026 and 2027 for Curnow, with Ollie Florent also traded to the Blues in a separate deal.
Curnow started well with three goals in the season-opening clash against the Blues, before going goalless the following week against a Brisbane outfit without key defenders Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner.
After two early goals, he then managed just one possession after halftime in a 17-point loss to Hawthorn.
West Coast - off the back of two-straight wins - are up next for the Swans off the back of their bye.
Remembering Franklin's similarly quiet start after moving from Hawthorn in 2013, Papley has no doubt Curnow will find his feet.
"You look over the years and not many players come in and dominate straight away," Papley said on Wednesday.
"You look at Buddy, he took a bit to get going, but it's not about marks, kicks and handballs.
"As long as he can compete and bring the ball to ground and the goals, that will come eventually. He's working hard, doing everything he can.
"If people keep writing him off, I'm sure he'll prove them wrong."
Often drawing the best opposition defender, Curnow's presence has at least benefited fellow key forwards Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald.
Amartey leads the Swans with nine goals so far after kicking five against Brisbane, with McDonald boasting six majors.
"Even the way he (Curnow) trains, they're learning little things that he does at training, the spins and the hard work up and down the ground," said Papley.
"Then in-game, he's taking the best defender each week."
Papley, whose plumber-to-player journey is well documented, will mark his 200th game against the Eagles at Optus Stadium.
The 29-year-old, who got his chance as a rookie in 2016 after being overlooked in the draft, reaches the milestone after being kept to 11 games last year through injury and overcoming a calf issue during the pre-season.
"The last 20 (games) has taken a little bit longer than I would have liked, but that's a part of footy," Papley said.
"If I said I played roughly 20 games a year, I'd take that every day of the week."
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