Star midfielder Luke Parker is backing the Sydney Swans’ depth to cover the injuries dealt to key personnel ahead of Saturday’s Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide.
Jarrad McVeigh (calf), Isaac Heeney (illness), Gary Rohan (back) and Tom Papley (knee) have already been ruled out of the season opener at the SCG, while question marks continue to surround Kieren Jack (hip) and Aliir Aliir’s (toe) fitness despite the pair’s strong showing at training on Tuesday.
Of those, only Heeney managed game time in this year’s JLT Community Series meaning ample opportunities were given to the Club’s first-year recruits as well as those pushing to cement their spot in the side.
Impressed by what he saw over the pre-season, Parker is confident whoever is selected in place of those mentioned will answer the call.
“We have full confidence in whoever comes in,” Parker told media at the Club’s Round 1 launch in Circular Quay.
“Last year we had about four or five players, who were playing reserves, who probably would have been playing seniors elsewhere or who are just as good as people playing seniors.
“To see the guys, who were sitting out at the end of last year, probably play this week is exciting for them and it’s exciting for the club to see that depth we have if we lose a key player.
“Obviously, Isaac won’t be playing this week, but to see maybe a young bloke come in and fill that role will be crucial to our success.”
Parker says for the Sydney Swans to go one step better than last year comes down to the development of what the vice-captain dubbed “the next generation” – the second-to-third-year players looking to take the next step.
Parker is looking forward to seeing that come to fruition when the likes of Zak Jones, Dan Robinson, Callum Mills and George Hewett potentially have a run on the ball on Sunday against the Power.
“For us (the improvement will come) from the next group coming through,” Parker added.
“The boys who’ve been here the last two to three years and who have now had their development time and played their 30-40 games. It’s exciting that they’ll probably take their games to another level.
“Having that weight of numbers, we know each week you need 22 players to be performing especially in crucial games. As we saw last year, if we don’t have enough performers on the day you’ll lose.
“To have the ability of the second-to-third-year boys carry the team if some of the leaders or more senior guys are having a down game, to see the next generation come through is really exciting for this Club.”
Parker joined teammates in the city on Tuesday as the Sydney Swans helped celebrate the start of the new season with fans and curious onlookers at First Fleet Park in Circular Quay.
