The Sydney Swans VFL side to face the Box Hill Hawks on Sunday, April 28 has been confirmed with experienced AFL midfielder Luke Parker set to feature.
Parker has been named in the Round 5 line up to face Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval, returning from a broken arm sustained in the red and white’s pre-season match simulation.
It will be Parker’s first minutes of action in 2024 with AFL senior coach John Longmire electing to have the midfielder return via the VFL in preparation for senior footy selection.
"He's had a good week on the training track and we've obviously upped the training levels with him and he's felt comfortable so far with that," Longmire said.
"We'd like to be able to get some footy in the VFL if we can and it'll depend a bit on how he really pulls up from here. So if he pulls up well and feels good, that'd be good to do to be able to prepare him for senior footy as soon as we can."
Parker is one of two changes to the line up that played out a 60-all draw against the Gold Coast Suns last week with Nic Shipley also returning to the line up, with the duo replacing Jordan Endemann and Max Geddes.
The Swans VFL side currently sit 13th on the ladder with one win, one loss and a draw following their first three games of the season.
The Hawks currently sit equal third with three wins and one loss this season.
VFL Round 5
Box Hill Hawks v Sydney Swans
12:05pm Sunday, April 28, Box Hill City Oval, Box Hill
| Backs | Will Edwards | Joel Hamiling | Will Green |
| Half Backs | Jaiden Magor | Patrick Snell | Cooper Vickery |
| Centreline | Ben Edwards | Caleb Mitchell | Corey Warner |
| Half Forwards | Aaron Francis | Peter Ladhams | Jacob Konstanty |
| Forwards | Luke Parker | Jack Buller | Phil Moi Moi |
| Followers | Lachlan McAndrew | Caiden Cleary | Angus Sheldrick |
| Interchange | Indhi Kirk | Nic Shipley | Will Kelly |
| Jake Bartholomaeus | James Lugsdin | ||
| Emergency | Max Geddes | Jordan Endemann | Benjamin Ashley-Cooper |
| Tom Longmire | Tye Gander |
Live streaming and broadcast
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will again be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL/W App. In a first, all VFL and VFLW matches will feature commentary this season. The Seven Network will continue to broadcast one Smithy’s VFL game live and free on Channel 7 in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally most weeks of the season.
Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry including Tramway Oval. AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches.
Live scoring and stats
Live scoring and stats for all Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW matches will be available via the match centre on the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL/W app.
