Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker says it might be “absolutely incredible” to win a second premiership, however he actually is simply taking one week at a time.
Geelong thrashed the Swans by 81 factors in final 12 months’s AFL Grand Final, ending Sydney’s excellent season in a disappointing whimper.
The end result meant the Swans have misplaced their final three grand finals (2014, 2016, 2022) and Parker is aware of the necessity to begin the season afresh and mood expectations of going all the best way.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I think it’s a completely different journey,” Parker instructed news.com.au when requested about how his aspect can rebound from the Grand Final loss.
“You’ve got to reflect on the year we had last year. We had some incredible moments. We reflected on that. Obviously we didn’t finish the way we wanted to.
“But in saying that, we came up against a team that was mature, desperate and bloody hard to beat. They were the best team all year. Unfortunately we well short but now we get to start that journey again.
“We know there’s going to be some ups and downs along the way but we’ll take confidence from last year and hopefully we can give ourselves another opportunity at the pointy end.”
When the Swans gained their final flag in 2012, Parker was the substitute with bleached blond hair who claimed a premiership medal in simply his second season.
He and Sam Reid are the 2 sole survivors remaining from that triumph, whereas Buddy Franklin, Jake Lloyd and Dane Rampe are others who’ve performed in Sydney’s three dropping Grand Finals since.
“We’ve got a group of players who’ve had the heartbreak of losing a grand final or two,” Parker mentioned.
“I think the older you get, the more you appreciate the opportunities of playing in a grand final. To win another one would be incredible but right now you can’t look at the ‘what ifs’. “It’s just about enjoying each week as it is, and continually rocking up to the challenge that is that week.”
Parker wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not the Swans’ purpose for the season was to complete high 4 or reaching Grand Final redemption.
“The goal is just to play as good as football as we can,” he mentioned.
“We know our best football stands up so as much as we can play that during the year we think we’ll put ourselves in a good position to compete in September.”
A dominant Round 1 win over Gold Coast was an ominous signal the Swans gained’t be nursing a Grand Final hangover in 2023.
Errol Gulden and Chad Warner will shoulder extra of the midfield load this season and Parker couldn’t be extra impressed by the younger duo.
“Errol’s one of the most driven individuals I’ve seen come through the doors of the club,” the 30-year-old mentioned.
“He’s always looking to get better. He’s pretty headstrong and just wants to continue to improve. He’s very football obsessed.
“Chad’s just that power athlete. He’s got that confidence that you need to play good quality football. He’s just getting better and better and continuing to take the game on, but also learning to the basics well, which he’s been incredible at.”
The Swans return to the SCG on Sunday for his or her first dwelling recreation of the season towards Hawthorn, who have been thumped by Essendon in Round 1.
Back for the second 12 months, the Origin Energy Good Change Club might be put in on the SCG, providing followers the most effective view of the sport and getting near the motion.
While the house is a VIP space, it’s obtainable for all followers to win tickets to the Good Change Club by merely making small however good adjustments for the setting.
“It’s always great to be at the SCG. Hopefully we get a packed house on Sunday,” Parker mentioned.
“We know the Hawks will be pretty wound up after last week so we’re looking for a big test. “It’s always nice to start the season off well, you take some confidence from that.
“We’ve just got to keep showing up each week and hopefully get some wins on the board early in the season will help.”
Originally printed as ‘To win another one would be incredible’: Swans skipper on GF ‘heartbreak’, ‘obsessed’ younger gun
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
