WITH five minutes to go before the start of the game between Sydney Swans and Gold Coast Suns, Luke Parker was ready to take to the stands to watch his team do battle.

Then a knee injury to Jude Bolton saw Parker go from spectator to key figure in the Swans' 70-point win over the Suns.

Bolton injured his knee in the Swans' warm up, leaving Parker, the Swans' emergency, with little time to prepare for his fifth game of AFL.

"It was basically five minutes before the game. The boys had come in from the warm up and (coach) John (Longmire) came in and said get ready as if you are playing," he said.

"I was a bit excited, but it was not a good way for Jude to go."

The quick change of situation didn't worry Parker, who went on to kick two goals (his first in AFL) and notch 26 disposals, including a game-high seven inside 50s.

"I was hoping I would get a go and you have to prepare as if you are playing, as an emergency," he said.

"Hopefully I played my role in the team, I can still work on a few things."

Coach John Longmire, while hopeful of Bolton's return next week, was thrilled with the output his replacement produced.

"It was really pleasing that Luke Parker was able to come on. He is a quality kid that just contests really hard and wants to improve so we were rapt that he got the opportunity and did so well," Longmire said.

"He was in the rooms (before the game), he got himself organised and was fine."

Parker now hopes he can be a part of the Swans run into the finals, as they rebound from a three-game losing streak before the Suns' clash.

"We had a pretty poor run lately but this good win can put our season back on track and hopefully we can string a few together from here," he said.