The 21-year-old, who endured a patient wait during the 2012 Grand Final as the Sydney Swans’ substitute, will this weekend be amongst the action from the opening bounce after proving himself as one of the club’s most-improved players this season.
Speaking to SwansTV in the lead up to his second Grand Final appearance, Parker said it was exciting to know he would play a bigger role in this year’s decider.
“I think at this point last time, I didn’t even know if I was playing yet, so I was more worried about that leading into the game,” Parker said.
“This time I’ll soak it in a lot more and will be able to enjoy the week, so I’m just really stoked for it.”
In 2012, Parker was the youngest Swan to take the field, with the midfielder just 19 years of age when the team defeated Hawthorn in a thrilling Grand Final clash at the MCG.
Parker, who will line up for his 82nd career match this weekend, said his experience two years’ ago gave him a good idea of what to expect in this year’s Grand Final.
“I think the main thing you notice is just the level the game goes to,” Parker said.
“It really is do-or-die out there and everyone is at their best, so the intensity is just ridiculous compared to every other game I’ve played.”
Parker’s impressive form this season, which saw him named in the 40-man All-Australian squad for the first time, has impressed his coaches and team mates alike.
He has averaging nearly 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, and six tackles per match, which ranks him amongst the AFL’s top-ten in all categories.
Parker was one of the Swans’ best in last week’s preliminary final win over North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium, where he picked up 26 disposals, eight tackles, as well as three crucial goals.
Fellow midfield mate Dan Hannebery said Parker’s improvement in 2014 had been out of sight, and backed him to have another big game this weekend.
“He’s had an extremely consistent season,” Hannebery said.
“We all know how well he’s been playing, and every week he seems to take his game to a new level.
“Even in the preliminary final, I thought he took his game to another level, which is hard to do.”
Hannebery said Parker was unlucky not to make the final All-Australian 22, and described him as one of the club’s hardest working players.
“I thought he was stiff not to make All-Australian because he’s had one of the best seasons in the comp and it’s a real credit to him because he works his absolute butt off in the pre-season,” Hannebery said.
“Every week he’s always practicing the different areas of his game and he’s a great kid, he’s a good young leader of the football club, and I just love playing alongside him.”
Hannebery, who had an exceptional Grand Final performance at the same age in 2012 as Parker will be this weekend, said he felt the Swans younger players who experience premiership success lat time would be well prepared for this week’s challenge.
“I think it’s sort of calming knowing that you’ve played there and that you’ve experienced it,” he said.
“It does give you a little bit of confidence, but having said that it doesn’t really guarantee you much, other than that fact you know how hard it is to win.
“It’s going to take a really strong four-quarter effort and hard work to be competitive, and we’re just looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
While Parker won’t be wearing the green vest this weekend, he did offer some advice for whichever of his team mates gets the job in that role this weekend.
“I think the main thing is that you don’t burn all of your energy before you even come on,” he said.
“When you do come on, you just need to stay composed and try and come on and have an impact.”
