Sydney Swans star Luke Parker admits to feeling frustrated by his restricted training regime this pre-season, but vows to make up for lost time ahead of next month’s community series.
Parker had arthroscopic surgery in early December to assist his recovery from the PCL injury suffered in the preliminary final against Geelong, a setback which has limited his training so far this pre-season.
Having not missed a pre-season in his six years in red and white, Parker has felt perturbed and restless while being confined to the “dungeon” (altitude room) and gym during this latest rehab stint.
While it’s been a trying six weeks for the gun midfielder, he’s now back running and is confident there’s light on the horizon.
“It has been a bit frustrating not being out there,” Parker said.
“This is normally the time I’m out on the track ticking the sessions off with the pre-season competition not far away.
“But my knee is feeling really good. It took a few weeks to get it back to feeling how it should, now it’s pulling up well from sessions.
“The good thing is I’m progressing forward with every session I complete. I haven’t had anything to worry about since I started running again.
“It’s hard to put a timeline on the injury right now. Best case scenario I’ll be able to play one or two pre-season games, get some under my belt, before the start of the real season.
“As long as I’m right to go Round 1 – that’s the main thing – and I’m pretty positive about that.”
Parker has been particularly antsy due to the extra responsibility recently bestowed on him as one of three vice-captains for season 2017.
The 24-year-old became the youngest player at the Sydney Swans to be voted into such a position, sharing the role with Dan Hannebery and Dane Rampe.
Wanting to set an example for the rest of his teammates is at the forefront of Parker’s mind, hence his eagerness to get back up and running again.
It will also be, when he’s finally back out there, at the forefront of his leadership style.
“For me, the best leaders start by leading on the field, as that’s where people take notice,” he added.
“The other stuff, speaking up in meetings or taking someone aside during the week for a chat, all that comes with maturity and learning off the other boys in the leadership group, like Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh, or Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton who were there when I was first voted into the leadership group.
“Observing how they went about it will be something I’ll take on board and learn from, so that I can adapt to my own leadership.
“Above all though, I believe the best way to start is by making sure my on-field performance is to the highest level so that I can lead by example.”
