Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker says it might be “completely unimaginable” 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 Remaining, 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.
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“I feel it’s a totally totally different journey,” Parker informed information.com.au when requested about how his facet can rebound from the grand ultimate loss.
“You’ve obtained to replicate on the 12 months we had final 12 months. We had some unimaginable moments. We mirrored on that. Clearly we didn’t end the best way we wished to.
“However in saying that, we got here up towards a staff that was mature, determined and bloody onerous to beat. They have been the perfect staff all 12 months. Sadly we nicely brief however now we get to start out that journey once more.
“We all know there’s going to be some ups and downs alongside the best way however we’ll take confidence from final 12 months and hopefully we may give ourselves one other alternative on the pointy finish.”
When the Swans received 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 shedding grand finals since.
“We’ve obtained a gaggle of gamers who’ve had the heartbreak of shedding a grand ultimate or two,” Parker mentioned.
“I feel the older you get, the extra you admire the alternatives of taking part in in a grand ultimate. To win one other one can be unimaginable however proper now you may’t take a look at the ‘what ifs’. “It’s nearly having fun with every week as it’s, and frequently rocking as much as the problem that’s that week.”
Parker wouldn’t be drawn of whether or not the Swans’ objective for the season was to complete high 4 or reaching grand ultimate redemption.
“The objective is simply to play pretty much as good as soccer as we will,” he mentioned.
“We all know our greatest soccer stands up in order a lot as we will play that in the course of the 12 months we expect we’ll put ourselves in place to compete in September.”
A dominant Spherical 1 win over Gold Coast was an ominous signal the Swans received’t be nursing a grand ultimate hangover in 2023.
Errol Gulden and Chad Warner are shoulder extra of the midfield load this season and Parker couldn’t be extra impressed by the younger duo.
“Errol’s one of the crucial pushed people I’ve seen come by means of the doorways of the membership,” the 30-year-old mentioned.
“He’s at all times trying to get higher. He’s fairly headstrong and simply needs to proceed to enhance. He’s very soccer obsessed.
“Chad’s simply that energy athlete. He’s obtained that confidence that it’s good to play good high quality soccer. He’s simply getting higher and higher and persevering with to take the sport on, but in addition studying to the fundamentals nicely, which he’s been unimaginable at.”
The Swans return to the SCG on Sunday for his or her first residence sport of the season towards Hawthorn, who have been thumped by Essendon in Spherical 1.
Again for the second 12 months, the Origin Vitality Good Change Membership shall be put in on the SCG, providing followers the perfect view of the sport and getting near the motion.
Whereas the area is a VIP space, it’s out there for all followers to win tickets to the Good Change Membership by merely making small however good adjustments for the atmosphere.
“It’s at all times nice to be on the SCG. Hopefully we get a packed home on Sunday,” Parker mentioned.
“We all know the Hawks shall be fairly wound up after final week so we’re searching for an enormous take a look at. “It’s at all times good to start out the season off nicely, you’re taking some confidence from that.
“We’ve simply obtained to maintain exhibiting up every week and hopefully get some wins on the board early within the season will assist.”
