Traded #26 Luke Parker

[Kennedy Parker]

Luke Parker
Luke Parker

26

Luke Parker

Age

32

Ht

183cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.8

5star

D

22.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

8.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

has plenty of football ahead and has already compiled a resume packed with impressive achievements. Since landing at the Sydney Swans via the 2010 AFL Draft, he has won a 2012 premiership medal, earned All Australian selection and won two Bob Skilton medals. In 2015, he was added to the club’s leadership group at the age of just 22, and has led the team as a co-captain alongside Josh Kennedy and Dane Rampe

24

Dane Rampe

Age

34

Ht

187cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

2.5

4star

MG

358.8

5star

D

14.1

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.1

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

284.5

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.4

4star

since 2019. While Parker is among the league’s elite midfielders, his strong marking and expert game awareness make him a genuine threat when rotating through the forward line.

Luke Parker

26

Luke Parker

Age

32

Ht

183cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.8

5star

D

22.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

8.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

DOB: 25 October 1992
DEBUT: 2011
DRAFT: #40, 2010 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Langwarrin (Vic)/Dandenong U18

Luke Parker | AFL

Follow Luke Parker's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Millky95]

Brian Oblivion here you go my dude

 

[ashep]

I don't think it's such a bad thing to say I don't understand a particular perspective. I thought the whole point of a site like this was to share our perspectives and then exchange them.

I shared mine. Didn't say that it was going to be popular, or even that it was right, it was just where I was at in regards to Parker. If you thought I was denigrating the other perspective, then either I worded it poorly or you misinterpreted it.

I even asked the question, "At what point does the trust & faith transfer from those who have delivered in the past, to those who are delivering now?"

Because that's really the crux of the issue I think.

We've played 13 games of the season and have an incredibly cohesive, well-functioning game-plan & system that's a decidedly different level to what we've played in previous years. I don't know who your 4 or 5 players are that you think Parker would offer more than, but what I do know is that they'd be more familiar with and experienced in that game-plan & system than Parker, who is yet to play in it.

It seems an incredible risk to assume that Parker is going to be better than those players, and that's what I'm just not able to wrap my head around at the moment. Doesn't mean I'm right and you're wrong. I'm just not getting it.

Hope that kind of explains it.

This is fair, and I like your point about the transfer of trust. When we lost a raft of legends at the end of 2015 and again in 2019, each time I felt a tug at the heartstrings and wondered how I was supposed to have the same affinity as I did for McVeigh, Jack, Grundy and Smith for these new blokes called Chad, Rowbottom and Blakey. Of course over time that transfer of trust happens and lo and behold, that once upon a time new crop looks poised to deliver our next flag.

The reason I pushed back - and perhaps my interpretation of you saying you don't "understand", was to clarify that for me at least, wanting Parker back in the side isn't about nostalgia or some sense of loyalty. I genuinely think he belongs there. I take the point about the current team playing well together but we've the likes of Campbell, Fox, Roberts, McCartin and Rampe in and out of the side and have barely missed a beat. I don't think bringing a bloke who has played 280 odd games in our system will disrupt anything. Would I play him for the first time in a prelim? Probably not, but I think he should have come back for GWS originally, and once fit, I'd still bring him back to play 4 or 5 games before finals to see how he goes. We might be top of the table but that isn't because everyone is playing at a superstar level. There are a few players out there who aren't giving us much. We can and should improve the team if we can, especially when experience is a factor. I don't see that as a risk, I see it as prudent team management.

I also don't think you can hold our team form and cohesion against him without doing the same for Mills.

So that's my case purely in terms of the on field product. The part where I don't expect many to agree is that whilst nobody is owed a spot, I absolutely do think a club legend and former captain should be given the opportunity to play in the spot he only vacated due to injury. The suspension has obviously thrown a wrench into the works but I was disappointed and frankly a bit shocked that he wasn't brought back in after his first couple of tune ups.

I completely agree the coaches need to do what's best for the side, but I strongly believe that Parker should be part of that.

 

[The King!]

This is fair, and I like your point about the transfer of trust. When we lost a raft of legends at the end of 2015 and again in 2019, each time I felt a tug at the heartstrings and wondered how I was supposed to have the same affinity as I did for McVeigh, Jack, Grundy and Smith for these new blokes called Chad, Rowbottom and Blakey. Of course over time that transfer of trust happens and lo and behold, that once upon a time new crop looks poised to deliver our next flag.

The reason I pushed back - and perhaps my interpretation of you saying you don't "understand", was to clarify that for me at least, wanting Parker back in the side isn't about nostalgia or some sense of loyalty. I genuinely think he belongs there. I take the point about the current team playing well together but we've the likes of Campbell, Fox, Roberts, McCartin and Rampe in and out of the side and have barely missed a beat. I don't think bringing a bloke who has played 280 odd games in our system will disrupt anything. Would I play him for the first time in a prelim? Probably not, but I think he should have come back for GWS originally, and once fit, I'd still bring him back to play 4 or 5 games before finals to see how he goes. We might be top of the table but that isn't because everyone is playing at a superstar level. There are a few players out there who aren't giving us much. We can and should improve the team if we can, especially when experience is a factor. I don't see that as a risk, I see it as prudent team management.

I also don't think you can hold our team form and cohesion against him without doing the same for Mills.

So that's my case purely in terms of the on field product. The part where I don't expect many to agree is that whilst nobody is owed a spot, I absolutely do think a club legend and former captain should be given the opportunity to play in the spot he only vacated due to injury. The suspension has obviously thrown a wrench into the works but I was disappointed and frankly a bit shocked that he wasn't brought back in after his first couple of tune ups.

I completely agree the coaches need to do what's best for the side, but I strongly believe that Parker should be part of that.

I don't agree with the conclusion etc, but I sincerely love the post, makes me want to watch some highlights on youtube. Love the passion

 

[Punts]

Would get near it at least unlike Logan atm

Parker can get a good heat map to I bet but would get a kick

 

[The King!]

Would get near it at least unlike Logan atm

Parker can get a good heat map to I bet but would get a kick

Remember when Parker was fit and you use to say he went missing and wasn't a champion etc,

You seem to like the guys more when they arent in the side, Parker, Reid, Hamling

 

[Brian Oblivion]

Remember when Parker was fit and you use to say he went missing and wasn't a champion etc,

You seem to like the guys more when they arent in the side, Parker, Reid, Hamling

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone as they say.

 

[Kiama Chris]

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone as they say.

Don't it always seems to go

 

[caesar88]

This is fair, and I like your point about the transfer of trust. When we lost a raft of legends at the end of 2015 and again in 2019, each time I felt a tug at the heartstrings and wondered how I was supposed to have the same affinity as I did for McVeigh, Jack, Grundy and Smith for these new blokes called Chad, Rowbottom and Blakey. Of course over time that transfer of trust happens and lo and behold, that once upon a time new crop looks poised to deliver our next flag.

The reason I pushed back - and perhaps my interpretation of you saying you don't "understand", was to clarify that for me at least, wanting Parker back in the side isn't about nostalgia or some sense of loyalty. I genuinely think he belongs there. I take the point about the current team playing well together but we've the likes of Campbell, Fox, Roberts, McCartin and Rampe in and out of the side and have barely missed a beat. I don't think bringing a bloke who has played 280 odd games in our system will disrupt anything. Would I play him for the first time in a prelim? Probably not, but I think he should have come back for GWS originally, and once fit, I'd still bring him back to play 4 or 5 games before finals to see how he goes. We might be top of the table but that isn't because everyone is playing at a superstar level. There are a few players out there who aren't giving us much. We can and should improve the team if we can, especially when experience is a factor. I don't see that as a risk, I see it as prudent team management.

I also don't think you can hold our team form and cohesion against him without doing the same for Mills.

So that's my case purely in terms of the on field product. The part where I don't expect many to agree is that whilst nobody is owed a spot, I absolutely do think a club legend and former captain should be given the opportunity to play in the spot he only vacated due to injury. The suspension has obviously thrown a wrench into the works but I was disappointed and frankly a bit shocked that he wasn't brought back in after his first couple of tune ups.

I completely agree the coaches need to do what's best for the side, but I strongly believe that Parker should be part of that.

Fair enough!

I think we have three very senior players currently on the outs that, if you were selecting on experience, would be in the team: Parker, Reid, Mills.

I commented a few days ago that Parker is going to be 32 in a few months. That's the same age Kieren Jack was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22 (and a much lesser 22 - it was 2019, as you noted.) It's one year younger than Ryan O'Keefe was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22. It's the same age Nat Fyfe currently is, and one could argue he hit a wall well before this year. On top of this, Parker's now missed most of the year due to injuries and suspension (understand he's still training but he's not getting those games in.) And the style of footy is unlike that which Parker was playing last year. I guess all of this combined makes it hard for me to find his 280 odd games of experience an assurance of anything. Individual's circumstances changing + the team's system and game plan changing = who knows what Parker we'll get?

And it's not just Parker I have this reservations over. It's also Reid. Pre-season there seemed to be so much optimism that it was gonna be a big comeback year for him. But you can go back through my comments on Reid throughout the pre-season - I was far from convinced about the Reid we'd get if he was fit and in the team. He was 32, coming off a long injury lay-off, and was two years removed from his best footy. So yeah, like Parker, Reid's reputation and most recent form did nothing to assure me.

There are a few reasons I don't have those reservations with Mills that I have with Parker & Reid. For starters - and this might sound naively simplistic - he's not over 30. He's in the prime of his career, so I think recovering and rebounding from a lengthy absence in conditioning, match practice, match fitness etc. should be easier than it is for a couple of veterans winding down their careers. I also think that unlike Parker & Reid, I'm more confident of Mills' ability to fit into our system this year because of his proven ability to perform so many different positions and roles (wing, half back, inside mid, half forward, utility - I'm literally comfortable with them all when it comes to Mills.)

If you managed to make it through all of that maybe you think I am just an ageist prick LOL. I just think the age & fitness factor makes existing reputations hard to factor in when it comes to selection. But maybe I am overthinking it and maybe it's not a factor at all!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Fair enough!

I think we have three very senior players currently on the outs that, if you were selecting on experience, would be in the team: Parker, Reid, Mills.

I commented a few days ago that Parker is going to be 32 in a few months. That's the same age Kieren Jack was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22 (and a much lesser 22 - it was 2019, as you noted.) It's one year younger than Ryan O'Keefe was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22. It's the same age Nat Fyfe currently is, and one could argue he hit a wall well before this year. On top of this, Parker's now missed most of the year due to injuries and suspension (understand he's still training but he's not getting those games in.) And the style of footy is unlike that which Parker was playing last year. I guess all of this combined makes it hard for me to find his 280 odd games of experience an assurance of anything. Individual's circumstances changing + the team's system and game plan changing = who knows what Parker we'll get?

And it's not just Parker I have this reservations over. It's also Reid. Pre-season there seemed to be so much optimism that it was gonna be a big comeback year for him. But you can go back through my comments on Reid throughout the pre-season - I was far from convinced about the Reid we'd get if he was fit and in the team. He was 32, coming off a long injury lay-off, and was two years removed from his best footy. So yeah, like Parker, Reid's reputation and most recent form did nothing to assure me.

There are a few reasons I don't have those reservations with Mills that I have with Parker & Reid. For starters - and this might sound naively simplistic - he's not over 30. He's in the prime of his career, so I think recovering and rebounding from a lengthy absence in conditioning, match practice, match fitness etc. should be easier than it is for a couple of veterans winding down their careers. I also think that unlike Parker & Reid, I'm more confident of Mills' ability to fit into our system this year because of his proven ability to perform so many different positions and roles (wing, half back, inside mid, half forward, utility - I'm literally comfortable with them all when it comes to Mills.)

If you managed to make it through all of that maybe you think I am just an ageist prick LOL. I just think the age & fitness factor makes existing reputations hard to factor in when it comes to selection. But maybe I am overthinking it and maybe it's not a factor at all!

Age is just a number but wear and tear is anything but. Reid's body must be held together with string and chewing gum.
Parker has been bashed up on the engine room. I have no idea how fit he is but I do know he has lost a yard. We won't know how adaptable he is until he plays seniors.
Mills is a whole nuther thing and plays completely differently. His issue is his Achilles. If that's OK he'll be an asset to the team for a good few years.
We have a number of older players looking good. Rampe, Cunningham, Fox, Lloyd and Grundy all looking terrific.
Just a number

 

[Brian Oblivion]

Age is just a number but wear and tear is anything but. Reid's body must be held together with string and chewing gum.
Parker has been bashed up on the engine room. I have no idea how fit he is but I do know he has lost a yard. We won't know how adaptable he is until he plays seniors.
Mills is a whole nuther thing and plays completely differently. His issue is his Achilles. If that's OK he'll be an asset to the team for a good few years.
We have a number of older players looking good. Rampe, Cunningham, Fox, Lloyd and Grundy all looking terrific.
Just a number

Hey Chris - are you actually in Kiama ?

 

[Jewelsbon]

Parker would make a great grand final sub IMHO. He has loads of experience, smarts, and could play a role for one quarter as needed. Better than most of our other subs this year.

Well that would just be downright cruel!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Hey Chris - are you actually in Kiama ?

Yep. Near the bowlo.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Parker is able to play several roles and imo make a significant contribution to the team as Lloyd is doing and as McPointy did ages ago.

 

[SydneyBlood]

Yep. Near the bowlo.

That's not how you spell 'blowhole'.

 

[Brian Oblivion]

Yep. Near the bowlo.

I used to get up there a lot in my teenage years - on hols - my uncle Andrew Braid had a veterinarian practice
there in the 70’s/80’s - lovely place - caught some nice fish and waves there. Think I had my first ever kiss at
the summer carnival thing there so, yeah, special place for me. There was a cafe with a jukebox I used to go to
in 78 I think and I’d listen to this - the B side of “Is this Love” by Bob Marley - I became obsessed with it and
recently bought it on Fleabay ……

 

[Kiama Chris]

That's not how you spell 'blowhole'.

Correct. The blowhole is not near the bowlo. Nor is the little blowhole. Reflected sunset 2 days ago.

 

[SydneyBlood]

I grew up in the 'gong. Know it well. Always liked playing golf at the local course there too.

 

[SM]

Fair enough!

I think we have three very senior players currently on the outs that, if you were selecting on experience, would be in the team: Parker, Reid, Mills.

I commented a few days ago that Parker is going to be 32 in a few months. That's the same age Kieren Jack was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22 (and a much lesser 22 - it was 2019, as you noted.) It's one year younger than Ryan O'Keefe was when he hit a wall and was squeezed out of the 22. It's the same age Nat Fyfe currently is, and one could argue he hit a wall well before this year. On top of this, Parker's now missed most of the year due to injuries and suspension (understand he's still training but he's not getting those games in.) And the style of footy is unlike that which Parker was playing last year. I guess all of this combined makes it hard for me to find his 280 odd games of experience an assurance of anything. Individual's circumstances changing + the team's system and game plan changing = who knows what Parker we'll get?

And it's not just Parker I have this reservations over. It's also Reid. Pre-season there seemed to be so much optimism that it was gonna be a big comeback year for him. But you can go back through my comments on Reid throughout the pre-season - I was far from convinced about the Reid we'd get if he was fit and in the team. He was 32, coming off a long injury lay-off, and was two years removed from his best footy. So yeah, like Parker, Reid's reputation and most recent form did nothing to assure me.

There are a few reasons I don't have those reservations with Mills that I have with Parker & Reid. For starters - and this might sound naively simplistic - he's not over 30. He's in the prime of his career, so I think recovering and rebounding from a lengthy absence in conditioning, match practice, match fitness etc. should be easier than it is for a couple of veterans winding down their careers. I also think that unlike Parker & Reid, I'm more confident of Mills' ability to fit into our system this year because of his proven ability to perform so many different positions and roles (wing, half back, inside mid, half forward, utility - I'm literally comfortable with them all when it comes to Mills.)

If you managed to make it through all of that maybe you think I am just an ageist prick LOL. I just think the age & fitness factor makes existing reputations hard to factor in when it comes to selection. But maybe I am overthinking it and maybe it's not a factor at all!

And he's 2-3 years younger than McVeigh, Bolton, Kennedy, and Kirk were. Anyone can pick players out that suit a narrative or you can judge the player on his own merits. His body has held up resiliently with little to no soft tissue injuries to date, the injury that put him out this year was an impact injury and then a suspension. There is zero evidence that this supposed wall is hitting him this year.

He's also proficient up forward in a less intensive role, and as much as I hate to admit it, would likely offer just as much if not more than Logan currently is. If it's a cut throat final I think I'd rather Parker in the side over Logan for the here and now, even if that's less relevant for where we're at in 5 years time.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I’ll be unpopular for saying it:

But Parker the small forward still appeals to me more than Wicks the small forward.

Parker in the mids? I think that ship has sailed.

 

[SM]

I’ll be unpopular for saying it:

But Parker the small forward still appeals to me more than Wicks the small forward.

Parker in the mids? I think that ship has sailed.

I'd rather drop one of the talls, which at this stage is Logan.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Will be very interesting.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I grew up in the 'gong. Know it well. Always liked playing golf at the local course there too.

Flat but narrow fairways, trees. I like Gerringong. Insane in the wind. Totally exposed.

 

[rustycrate]

Yep. Near the bowlo.

Can tellyou a funny story about just after I left school.
A few mates and girls we left Newcastleand decided to go to Kiama.
We borrowed my Dads trailer and in a few cars about 8 of us decided to go to Kiama for a long weekend.
We go to Kiamaand went straight to the pub. Had a feed and lots of beverages.
We made it to the caravan park to set upout tent_or so we thought). Have you got a G? Ineed A. we eventually put up the tent very early in the morning and went to sleep.
Next morning we were woken up and peoplewere saying we had to move our tent.
WTF?
Turns out we set the tent pretty much next to the pitch. We came out of the tent and there were 22 guys in white wanting to play cricket with a decent local crowd.
We pulled the tent down and set it back up in the caravan park.

 

[caesar88]

And he's 2-3 years younger than McVeigh, Bolton, Kennedy, and Kirk were. Anyone can pick players out that suit a narrative or you can judge the player on his own merits. His body has held up resiliently with little to no soft tissue injuries to date, the injury that put him out this year was an impact injury and then a suspension. There is zero evidence that this supposed wall is hitting him this year.

He's also proficient up forward in a less intensive role, and as much as I hate to admit it, would likely offer just as much if not more than Logan currently is. If it's a cut throat final I think I'd rather Parker in the side over Logan for the here and now, even if that's less relevant for where we're at in 5 years time.

None of that I dispute.

My point wasn't that we know what shape Parker would be in if he played.

It was that we don't know, so it makes a potential decision to remove a known entity that's worked well within our team and replace them with Parker that much more of a risk.

 

[SM]

None of that I dispute.

My point wasn't that we know what shape Parker would be in if he played.

It was that we don't know, so it makes a potential decision to remove a known entity that's worked well within our team and replace them with Parker that much more of a risk.

He was playing pretty well in the VFL to start this season, no indications he's had any drop off.