AFL finals 2024: Luke Parker looking to put most difficult season of his career behind him as he addresses North interest
Luke Parker’s future might still be up in the air but September is his favourite month of the year and he only has one thing on his mind as he prepares to put his tough season behind him.
Sydney
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For Swans veteran Luke Parker, September is his favourite time of the year.
When he takes to the field at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, it will be his 24th finals appearance in the red and white. Blocking out the first month of spring has become almost a permanent part of the calendar when you play for Sydney.
“I think it’s always weird when you see a few boys from other clubs going to Europe and going on holidays and packing up for the year,” Parker said.
“That’s what you really play for, to be part of this time of year. And look, we’ve got an opportunity. We’re really confident with where we can go, but we know it’s a long way to get there.”
But for the 31-year-old, September was far from guaranteed in 2024. By any measure, this season has been the toughest of Parker’s career.
A late injury in pre-season left him on the fringes of John Longmire’s squad, but an early winning streak kept him there. Then there was the six-week suspension for a high bump in the VFL which ensured his seat on the sidelines would remain.
The mental battles have been regular, but a record of 11 goals in seven matches since his return has proven he was right to remain patient.
“(It wasn’t) questioning whether I still had it, questioning a little bit probably whether I was needed or not,” Parker said. “But I have immense belief in what I can do in the team and in the game.
“If I reflect on the year, it’s probably been one of the most challenging for me. I feel like I’ve had three pre-seasons throughout the year, but I think mentally has been the biggest challenge.
“Something I’ve been working on during the year is what it looks like when I get back and the impact I want to have. And that’s something I’m proud of, playing a different role up forward. But I’m embracing it as something I’ve been looking forward to each week, working with those young boys and creating a bit of energy and fun down there.
“I know experience stands up at this time of year. You need a pretty level head, calmness and composure and that’s what’s needed. So that’s definitely something I’ve been working on this year, especially the back end.”
While Parker knows he is closer to the end of his footy career than the start, he has prioritised finding new ways to enjoy the toils of being a professional athlete. Whether he was playing AFL, VFL or spending early Saturday mornings rehabilitating on Tramway Oval, he didn’t take a second of it for granted.
“In the VFL, it was getting back to playing freely and helping the young guys there and finding that new energy that those young guys give and the excitement they have for football at a young age,” Parker said.
“Then coming back as sub, it was embracing my opportunity to get on the field. I could have sat there and been bitter about whether I was selected or not, or what position I was playing. But for me it was seriously about enjoying each moment, enjoying the opportunity and finding the love for just competing.”
The benefit to his unusual journey this season means that Parker is as fresh as he can remember for a September campaign – “Normally I’m pretty battered up this time of year,” he said.
And it’s fair to say he still feels like he has a point to prove. That starts against the Giants, a side he has yet to experience a win against in finals.
Even looking back to their last meeting in 2021, he can sense how quickly the young team around him has developed. Players like Errol Gulden and Chad Warner have three more seasons of experience, while key pillars such as Tom McCartin and Logan McDonald have grown into their talent.
“We’ve played a lot of football together, and hopefully going through those experiences and knowing what stands up in big games is something to hold us in good stead for September.”
It just remains to be seen how much of a role Parker has to play in the future.
This year was a reminder that playing in the AFL is never a guarantee. And amid constant speculation about a move back to Victoria, and being name-dropped by Alastair Clarkson as a potential North Melbourne target, he knows he will have a decision to make.
For now, he is just hoping he gets to do it with a second premiership medal at home once his favourite month of the year finally comes to a close.
“It’s flattering that those teams bring up your name and mention that as someone of interest,” Parker said. “But I’ve got games to focus on and finals to focus on.
“It would be weird (playing for a club that isn’t Sydney). But as I said at the moment, I’m just enjoying each opportunity I get.”
Originally published as AFL finals 2024: Luke Parker looking to put most difficult season of his career behind him as he addresses North interest
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