In summary:

Luke Parker produced another stellar season in his eighth AFL campaign, firing in the midfield and forward line as the Swans bagged a ticket to the finals.

The vice-captain finished as the second-placed Swan behind star forward Lance Franklin in the Brownlow Medal count, a clear reflection of a glowing stats sheet.

Parker averaged 23 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances and six tackles per game.

The Victorian finished third on Sydney’s goal-kicking leaderboard, slotting 25 majors to join Franklin (57) and Will Hayward (28) on the podium.

He led the Swans at the coalface of the contest with captain Josh Kennedy and will relish the chance to do so again in 2019, with George Hewett, Oliver Florent and a host of other young midfielders following in his footsteps.

What the numbers say:

Games: 22

Goals: 25

Kicks: 261

Handballs: 245

Disposals: 506

Contested possessions: 276

Clearances: 119

Inside 50s: 79

Marks: 88

Tackles: 123

AFL Fantasy: 95.6 (average)

Best performance:

Round 22: Sydney Swans v GWS, Spotless Stadium

Parker produced a number of dazzling performances in 2018, including a game marked with 32 touches, nine tackles and a Goal of the Year contender as the Swans crushed the Eagles in Round 1. The 2016 All-Australian collected 21 possessions and three goals as the Swans escaped with victory against the Dogs in Round 7, an outing that earned him three Brownlow Medal votes. But Parker saved arguably his best display of the season for Round 22, raking in 33 disposals, eight clearances and two goals as the Swans stunned the Giants at Spotless Stadium. He booted two final-term goals as Sydney ran in six last-quarter majors to the home side’s one to pocket a 20-point win. 

What they said:

Luke Parker

“Individually I thought it was a pretty consistent season. I had to play a lot more forward at times and develop that side of the game, with not having Sam Reid and a few forwards with injuries and having to fill that role. I was trying to get the mix right between midfield and forward. I was overall pretty happy with my season.”

Midfield coach Brett Kirk

“Luke’s such an influential player for us on the field, with the way he goes about it, the way he sets the tone and his attack on the contest. With Sam Reid not playing we needed more physical presence in our forward line and Luke spent time both through the midfield and forward line. He really embraced his time forward but was also able to accumulate a lot of ball on the inside. He provides a lot of inside grunt to our outside runners. I thought he had a really strong season.”

In pictures:

Luke Parker celebrates a goal in the Swans' thrilling win over the Hawks in Round 8.

'How about it!': Luke Parker and debutant Tom McCartin soak up the jubilation of the Swans' captivating Round 8 win over the Hawks.

Luke Parker and Charlie Curnow jostle for possession in Sydney's win over Carlton in Round 11.

Luke Parker and partner Kate Lawrence grace the red carpet at the 2018 Brownlow Medal count.