AFL 2024: No selection guarantee for Sydney champion Luke Parker against Carlton

His coach has praised his “terrific attitude” in the VFL, but has a decorated senior Swan done enough to return against Carlton?

Sydney coach John Longmire will make no guarantees to Luke Parker on an AFL return but confirmed the former skipper wanted to be playing in the senior side.

Parker, 31, has played three consecutive games in the VFL since returning from a broken arm, but Longmire would not commit to picking him to face Carlton in Friday night’s blockbuster SCG clash.

The coach said key defender Tom McCartin would be sidelined for another week following his concussion against GWS in round 8 but added he was “coming along pretty well” after he missed an extended run of games last season due to the lingering effects of a concussion.

Longmire said Parker, who has averaged 32 disposals and six tackles in his VFL stint and delivered the matchwinning goal with an almighty torpedo against North Melbourne on Saturday, might have to wait longer to return due to a midfield selection squeeze.

Luke Parker might again be stuck in the VFL instead of playing against Carlton this Friday because of Sydney’s in-form midfield brigade, according to coach John Longmire. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think today (Parker) said it was an 80m barrel. It was a terrific kick. We’ll see how it goes, we’ve been reasonably consistent through the midfield group, so we’ll see how it lines up,” Longmire said.

“He wants to play senior footy, that’s understandable – his attitude is terrific.

“Again, on the weekend he was superb with the way he went about it and how he’s leading those younger players in the next tier down. He’s getting even more respect from his teammates.”

Longmire said Nick Blakey would be fine to play against the Blues after he was cleared of a concussion following a heavy collision in the late stages of the Swans’ win over Fremantle, while he hoped McCartin would return in round 11 against the Western Bulldogs.

“Tommy McCartin will be out. He’s coming along pretty well, he was good today, but he’ll be out of the team,” he said.

Longmire hopes Sydney defender Tom McCartin (centre) will return in round 11 as he misses one more game due to the concussion he suffered in a collision with GWS forward Callum Brown (right). Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Obviously, we’re looking after Tommy and while he’s feeling fine today, we’ll give him another week.”

Longmire said the ladder leaders were still searching for improvement as he noted the Dockers’ inaccuracy had made their performance look more comprehensive than it was last Friday.

But he said the Swans’ pressure game was in “terrific” shape as they prepared for two important games against the Blues and Bulldogs going into their round 12 bye.

“It’s been good to get some reward for effort, but it’s been the way we’ve been able to do it. “Our scramble pressure on the weekend was terrific. We felt that was a real positive, but it’s about making sure you keep on backing it up, and that’s what our challenge is every week.”

Longmire said he hoped captain Callum Mills would return “just after the bye” as he increased his running loads but was yet to join full training following a calf setback on top of his off-season shoulder injury.

Originally published as AFL 2024: No selection guarantee for Sydney champion Luke Parker against Carlton