Sydney Swans vice-captain Luke Parker says it was “great” to welcome back 559 games of AFL experience for the clash with Collingwood at the SCG last Saturday.

Experienced Swans duo Jarrad McVeigh (315 games) and Kieren Jack (244) returned from three weeks on the sideline to help Sydney to a thrilling two-point victory.

McVeigh (collarbone) and Jack (knee) both succumbed to injury in the match with Geelong in Round 16, ruling out the two veterans for games against North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Essendon.

Parker, who forms part of Sydney’s leadership team with McVeigh, Jack and a host of other Swans, said the two veterans gave the side a big boost in the Collingwood clash.

“It was really important we got Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack back,” Parker said on ABC Grandstand on Sunday.

“You want those mature heads and those experienced players playing and those leaders leading the way. Those two were great to have back.

“They played really well and hopefully we get the likes of Sam Reid and Dan Hannebery back in the next few weeks.”

McVeigh gathered 28 touches and operated with outstanding poise under pressure in defence, while Jack’s experience shone through in the midfield and forward line.

But while the key Swans played important on-ground roles in the hard-fought win, Parker says those in the stands were “incredible”.

The Round 20 match drew the biggest SCG crowd to date this season, with 39,238 fans piling in to help push the Swans over the line.

Running second is the crowd of 38,017 that crammed in as Sydney took on Adelaide in Round 5.

Sydney will face Hawthorn in its last regular-season home game of the season in Round 23, after meeting Melbourne (MCG) and GWS (Spotless Stadium) on the road in its next two fixtures.

Parker said the full-blooded cheers of the red-and-white faithful were enormous in the win over the Magpies.

“That was probably the best atmosphere we’ve had at the SCG for the year,” Parker said.

“It was such a big crowd and you really thrive off that. You want the crowd to really get into it and the chants and it wills you into the game. Last night was incredible and it was great to see the Swans fans were really passionate and loud and really loving it last night.”