This time a year ago, Swans midfielder Luke Parker was living in the Dandenong-region of Melbourne not knowing where he would end up following the 2010 AFL Draft.

Luckily enough for everyone at the Swans, he slipped through to number 40 in the draft, made the move north, and hasn’t looked back since.

Parker was always a promising type having won the Dandenong Stingrays Best and Fairest in the 2009 playing in a side which boasted other AFL names such as Tom Scully, Ryan Bastinac and Dylan Roberton, however he admits to being nervous in the lead up to the Draft not knowing which club would select him, if he got listed at all.

“Leading up to the draft, it’s pretty nerve racking for a young bloke. You’re not sure if you will end up interstate or not, but it’s also an exciting time,” Parker told SwansTV this afternoon.

“On draft day you are just there hoping your number gets called out, and I was lucky enough to have mine called.”

Parker surrounded himself with family and friends on the night of the draft last year and all were thrilled when they heard the news he would be moving to Swans.

“I didn’t know what to do once my name got called out. My family and friends jumped up but I was that excited that I froze.” 

Parker, who featured in 13 games in his debut season where he showed potential as a promising young midfielder, has returned to pre-season training in superb condition, running a PB in the time trial on his first day back.

“It was probably my best run I have had,” he said about his effort in November 10’s 3 km time trial.

“I wanted to come back in really good shape and it was extremely positive that I was able to run a PB on my first day.”

Make sure you continue to visit sydneyswans.com.au throughout this week for all the latest news on Thursday’s Draft, including the Swans selections. Tomorrow we speak to Sydney Swans Manager - Player Personnel, Kinnear Beatson, about the club’s ongoing preparation ahead of the Draft.