Sydney Swans veteran Luke Parker on ‘dark times’ after finally making AFL return

For veteran Luke Parker, it was like his debut all over again but after one of the toughest seasons of his career, the midfielder is hoping to play a big role in the Swans’ run to September.

Sydney's Luke Parker celebrates after kicking a goal during the Sydney Swans v North Melbourne Round 18 AFL match at the SCG on July 13, 2024.. Photo by Brett Costello (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Brett Costello )

Raucous crowd eruptions are usually saved for match-defining moments in footy. Whether it’s a game-winning goal or a physics-defying mark, it typically takes something extraordinary to bring fans to their feet.

And despite the Swans already being 57 points to the good against North Melbourne late in the third quarter on Saturday, club legend Luke Parker delivered a highlight that will live long in the memory.

Returning to the AFL for the first time in 309 days, the 31-year-old took to the field as the sub to a standing ovation from the SCG faithful.

His tenacious cameo of course featured the relentless physical presence that he has become known for across his 14-year career. But it was his first of two goals that brought the house down.

Sydney players rushed from everywhere to celebrate the moment with Parker. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

His first might have been his 200th goal in senior footy, however, it may as well have been his first, as his teammates ran from across the field to mob him. This was one of the Swans’ favourite sons back where he finally belonged.

“It felt like I was debuting again,” Parker said. “I ran on like a little kid and tried to get involved as much as I could.

“It was just exciting being back out there. It’s been a long journey for me and (Callum) Millsy, we’ve been in the trenches for a while and working our way into it. To get the opportunity to be back out there, I was always going to grab it.

“I didn’t want to get too overexcited or wound up. I wanted to play footy as I always have and have a bit of fun out there. And I was able to do that.”

Back in the side, Luke Parker has kicked the 200th goal of his career 🙌#AFLSwansNorthpic.twitter.com/JkP8pItuXw

— AFL (@AFL) July 13, 2024

Finding the fun wasn’t something Parker was expecting he’d have to do at the start of 2024. For the first part of the season, he found himself on the periphery of the squad as his team went 13-1 to record their best start to a campaign in more than a century.

After breaking his arm late in pre-season during a practice match against the Giants, Parker spent a month on the sidelines before another four weeks in the VFL. The 31-year-old was then hit with a six-match suspension for a high bump which pushed any potential return even further down the road.

There was never any special treatment for the 283-game Swans veteran with John Longmire reticent to make any changes to a winning formula in midfield – even his return on Saturday only came about as a result of Isaac Heeney’s suspension.

Those weeks watching on from the reserves as his teammates were flying proved to be one of the hardest challenges in Parker’s AFL career to date.

Parker did the hard yards at training as he pushed for an opportunity in Longmire’s side. Picture: Brett Costello

“I probably had some dark times at the start of the season,” Parker said. “Once I was available and playing a bit of VFL, there’s times you question yourself a bit and where you’re at.

“For me, it was just to really embrace the journey and I’ll come out the other side, and that I’ll always find a way back. I never lost sight of that and wanted to just enjoy it day by day and the process … I’ve been in a really good headspace this whole last six months and I’ve been working on that.

“They’ve had such an exciting year and the fun they’ve been having on the field, you get a bit jealous that you’re missing out on it.

“To have an injury late on in the pre-season and put you out for another 10 or so weeks … you do feel that bit of disconnect. The second time I was on a bit of long-service leave, I took it as a big opportunity to get my body right and make sure that when I was available I was confident and fit in my body and hopefully would slot straight back in.”

The experienced midfielder didn’t miss a beat, and was the highest ranked player on the ground from the time he was subbed on. Picture: Brett Costello

According to Longmire, Parker never once let his non-selection earlier this year impact team morale. In fact, he began to set the standards for those around him because he knew that was the best way to force himself back into the team.

“He did such a great body of work while he was out suspended,” Longmire said. “He worked as hard as any player I’ve ever seen, and he did it all off his own bat.

“It was really hard to disrupt that team at that particular time, because it was going super well and injury-wise we were going pretty well.

“That was a tough period, it was tough for him and his partner Kate and the families, I’ve been through that myself. It’s tough and it’s not a great spot to be. I’ve never seen a bloke work as hard, or be as positive as he’s been.

“You’ve got a choice how you approach that. He approached it with an absolutely positive mindset.”

Parker and Mills both made their first appearance of the season against North Melbourne. Picture: Phil Hillyard

That mindset included unique new perspectives from the coaching box and training day in, day out with the likes of Mills to get his fitness up to scratch – “It was 7am on a Saturday or Sunday morning when we were kicking the dew off the oval,” Parker said.

That tireless work has not only seen him earn back his place in the side, but it has likely extended his own career given how fresh he is feeling.

And although there’s been plenty of speculation that he might look for an early departure from the Swans, if he has it his way, he’s not going anywhere.

“I didn’t focus on that if I’m honest, I try to block out all the noise of what’s happening and focus within the football club,” Parker said.

“It was tough at times and the team was going so well. But I have immense belief in myself that I can definitely add to what we’re building, especially at the pointy end of the year.”

Originally published as Sydney Swans veteran Luke Parker on ‘dark times’ after finally making AFL return