Luke Parker is eyeing a round one return - at least with his left eye - after suffering a knock to his right eye in last week’s NAB Challenge clash against the West Coast Eagles.
The 21-year-old, who left the field in the first quarter after clashing with team mate Gary Rohan in a tackle, was rushed to hospital for observation but has since been cleared of serious damage.
After being rested earlier in the week, the young midfielder took part in Thursday’s main training session at Lakeside Oval and told sydneyswans.com.au that he felt confident he would be fit to play in round one.
"The eye is feeling really good and I’m really pleased with how it’s improved so quickly,” Parker told sydneyswans.com.au
“At the start, Gibbsy (doctor Nathan Gibbs) said it could be 4-6 weeks but fortunately it wasn’t that serious.
“The main thing is that is doesn’t re-bleed, so for safety precautions I’m staying out of the contact stuff.
“Besides that, I should be right for next week.”
The young Swan said the knock had caused him blurred vision immediately after the incident, but said his vision was now completely restored.
“It turned out to be a bit of swelling and bleeding in the eyeball and at first my vision wasn’t great, so we thought we better get it checked out,” he said.
“It was weird getting sent straight to hospital over a poke in the eye, and Gibbsy was a bit worried about it because it was different to what normally happens.
“Now I’m slowing recovering and my vision has come back fully now, and now my pupil is just a little bigger because of the eyedrops I have to use.
“It makes it a bit glary outside but besides that I’m feeling fine."
Parker admitted he had looked back at the tape of last Thursday’s match to find out exactly how he sustained his injury.
He said he knew the knock was caused by a bit of friendly fire from one of his team mates, but had to look back at the tape to find out exactly who.
“I had to have a look at the vision because I knew when it was but I didn’t know what hit me,” he said.
“It turned out to be when I went to lay a tackle and I’m going to point the finger at Gary Rohan.
“One of his wild arms swung through and collected me somehow."
Parker, who is known for his toughness and competitive edge, said he was disappointed to not be playing in Saturday’s practice match against the Brisbane Lions but said he was looking forward to the season ahead.
"I’ll train through the week but it’s just the no contact at the moment,” he said
“I’m really excited for the season to start, it’s a bummer I have to miss out on this week but I’m sure I’ll be back next week."
