Luke Parker said the Sydney Swans would enter Saturday’s Sydney Derby against GWS with a completely different mindset to when the two sides met in their season opener.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has been one of the club’s big improvers this season, said his team was better prepared and in better form than at the beginning of the season and were ready for this weekend’s challenge.
“I think we’ve got the right mindset this time,” Parker told media on Thursday.
“I think when we came out in round one we were a bit complacent and thought it was just going to happen, but this week we’re coming out ready to go.
“We weren’t too shocked (with the result) because we didn’t come ready to play.
“But it’s been a long time since then and we’ve had some good wins and we’ve turned it around, and our mindset is totally different coming into this game.”
Despite losing three of the opening four matches, the Swans have turned around their early season form and will be looking to post a tenth consecutive victory this weekend.
Parker said the Swans would need to continue their good form this week against GWS, who he expected would be full of confidence following back-to-back wins over Brisbane and Carlton.
“Coming into this week, we want another good win and we know (GWS) are in some good form at the moment and they’ve won the last two games,” he said.
“Their young guys are firing, so we’re going to have to come and bring our best this week.”
The Swans’ chances this weekend could be bolstered by the return of Kurt Tippett and Ben McGlynn, should the pair get through training, while Rhyce Shaw and Dan Hannebery will both miss the match with ankle injuries.
Parker said the Swans would have full confidence in whoever comes into the side this Saturday and highlighted first-year Swan Zak Jones’ debut performance against Richmond as a prime example.
“The young guys have really stepped up this year and we know that whoever comes in week-to-week is just going to do the job,” he said,
“We’ve got full trust in anyone who comes in, like (Zak) ‘Jonesy’ who came in last week and replaced (Rhyce) 'Shawy' and he was really good in the final stages and was really composed.
“His chase downs and his efforts were just outstanding for a first-gamer.”
The final team will be posted on sydneyswans.com.au at 6:25pm this evening.
