Luke Parker faces an extended absence from Sydney’s AFL team after a collision that sent a Frankston player to the hospital with facial injuries, likely leading to a multi-week suspension.
As the Swans triumphed over Carlton by 52 points in front of more than 44,000 fans at the SCG on Friday night, Parker was playing his fourth consecutive match for Sydney’s VFL team in Melbourne’s southeast. He has struggled to break into the best 23 since recovering from a pre-season broken arm.
An injury to Robbie Fox might have created an opportunity for Parker’s return, but his bump on Frankston player Josh Smith, which resulted in a reported broken cheekbone, is expected to prevent this. The VFL will announce Parker’s sanction on Monday, and based on precedents, he could be banned for several weeks.
Former North Melbourne star David King commented on SEN Radio that Parker deserves at least a five-game suspension, noting that his action is precisely what the AFL aims to eliminate from the sport.
Despite Parker’s strong performance, with 26 touches and nine clearances, the incident with Smith casts a shadow over his potential return to the AFL. Meanwhile, star teammate Chad Warner escaped suspension and remains in Brownlow Medal contention, receiving a fine for striking Carlton’s Marc Pittonet.
Sydney’s dominant performance this season, with a 9-1 record and an average of 103 points per game, has left coach John Longmire without a player to drop for the former co-captain. The Swans’ balanced scoring and solid defense have propelled them to the top of the ladder, eight points clear of Geelong.
Longmire remains focused on their next game against the Western Bulldogs, emphasizing continuous improvement despite their strong start to the season. “We acknowledge what we did well, and there’s a few fantastic efforts tonight, but we’ll also look at something we can improve and we’ll do that,” Longmire said.
