2021 CLUB CHAMPION PARKER JOINS BLOODS ELITE

JOINS BLOODS ELITE

Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker claimed the Bob Skilton Medal in season 2021, crowned the Sydney Swans Club Champion for the third time.

Parker (543 votes) edged out 2020 Bob Skilton medallist Jake Lloyd (504 votes) who claimed the Adam Goodes Trophy for second place while Jordan Dawson finished with 502 votes to win the Peter Bedford Trophy.

After winning the award in 2014, 2017 and now 2021, Parker joined an illustrious group of club legends including Adam Goodes, Josh Kennedy and Gerard Healy, as a threetime winner of the award.

Parker played all 23 games of the season, averaging 28 disposals and on nine occasions collected more than 30 disposals, including 34 in the Elimination Final against GWS.

The 29-year old said he was honoured to win the Bob Skilton medal for a third time, and reflected on the incredible journey of the 2021 season.

“It’s bittersweet to receive the award after our disappointment in the Elimination Final, but I look back at the memories and the highlights from this year and I couldn’t be more grateful for those moments that the people at this club bring, it just makes football and life enjoyable,” Parker said.

After another whirlwind season, with much of it on the road again, Parker reflected on how the side got through the challenges thrown their way.

“Some of the wins we had this season were incredible,” Parker said.

“Whether it was coming from behind or when unfortunately, some of the boys got put into quarantine and the way the group handled that situation, it just puts a smile on your face. We have made some special relationships this year and we will continue to build on that and there’s no doubt we will continue to grow.”

Parker, who will go into his twelfth season in 2022 thanked Swans members and fans for their support this season and said they had much to look forward to with an exciting breed of Swans developing nicely.

“It’s been incredible to see the jump we made in the last 12 months. We’ve seen guys take their game to another level, while the first years have come in and had immediate impact,” Parker said.

“I can’t thank our members and fans enough. To only get a handful of games at home where they were able to see us live but we still felt the love from all corners of the country, they rode the ups and downs and we can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support.”

In his third season as coCaptain, Parker said he had relished working with the team’s emerging talent and his role in the develoipment of the young talent is not lost on him.

“I love seeing blokes grow, I look at Rowy (James Rowbottom), Chad (Warner), Errol (Gulden) and Braeden (Campbell), knowing I was in that position and the growth

IT’S BEEN INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE JUMP WE MADE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. WE’VE SEEN GUYS TAKE THEIR GAME TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

and expertise that Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Jarrad McVeigh gave me when I was first at the club,” Parker said.

“They helped me get to the level I am at now and I just want to help these young guys along the way and make them become the best player they can possibly be.”

Parker credited the leadership group for maintaining the team’s focus through the relocations and reshuffled schedules of the 2021 season.

“It can go two ways. You can look at the hand you’ve been dealt and complain about it and waste your energy on it, or you can embrace it for what it is and that’s the way myself, Ramps (Dane Rampe), Joey (Josh Kennedy) and Horse (John Longmire) have tried to instil into the group. We just wanted to roll with the punches, enjoy the opportunities we have. At the end of the day we’ve got our health and that’s most important.”

“We’ve had some special moments that you would only get from spending so much time together in the hub. It’s been unfortunate to be away from home for so long, but I think the way the club has embraced this year just shows the calibre of people here is incredible, and the characteristics the club and players show make it an enjoyable place to be around.”