Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker believes the club’s young crop is primed to drive the team to greater heights in season 2020.

In an indication of the evolving demographic of Sydney’s list, just three members of the Swans’ 2012 premiership team – Parker, Josh Kennedy and Sam Reid – are still at the club.

The Swans also have just three players – Kennedy, Lance Franklin and Callum Sinclair – who have turned 30, while they have the second-youngest list in the AFL and the third-least experienced.

But Parker insists the emerging Swans are ready to drive the club forward.

“I think it’s that next generation coming through who have all played a lot of football at an early age who are in a great position to take us to the next level,” Parker said on SEN.

“Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney have obviously played a lot of footy, but it’s also boys like Will Hayward, Oliver Florent, Ben Ronke and Tom McCartin who have all played a lot of football on a big stage at a young age. They’re starting to see themselves as mature footballers and a big part of our club. They’re the ones who are hopefully going to take us to the next level and we need them to as well.”

Mills and Heeney have been touted for soaring heights ever since their days in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

Mills claimed the AFL’s Rising Star honour in his debut 2016 season and was in the company of the league’s best in last week’s State of Origin clash for bushfire relief, while he was added to the Swans’ leadership group at the age of just 21.

Heeney took out the 2018 AFL Mark of the Year award for a stellar grab at the MCG, and he celebrated his 100th AFL game in Round 21 of last season.

Parker says the team’s expectations are high on the cusp of season 2020.

“We want to perform well each week and give ourselves the best chance,” Parker said.

“For us it’s about being successful and we’re not waiting a couple of years or until halfway through the season to get going. We want to make sure come Round 1 we’re putting the best team out on the park and we’re competing with the rest of the competition.”

The Swans will face the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on March 21 as they get their 2020 campaign underway.

Don’t miss the Swans’ first home game of 2020, against Essendon at the SCG on Friday, March 27. Get your tickets NOW!