Insight in book of Luke

HEADING into his seventh year at the Sydney Swans, midfield star Luke Parker ( pictured) did something completely different this pre-season – he read a book.

Just what effect it has on his game remains to be seen in todays’ AFL preseason clash against North Melbourne in Coffs Harbour, but he says he will probably read another.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is the first book Parker had read since high school and came from the shelves of Swans assistant coach and former captain Brett Kirk, who will temporarily take over coaching duties from John Longmire today.

As well as coaching, Kirk is also the club’s librarian and keeps a few titles for players to read should the mood take them. A conversation with his 12-year-old son Indhi about the need to read more prompted the connection with Parker.

“I was trying to tell my son that life isn’t just about footy and sport,” Kirk said. “I told him he needs to read for his education. He said I bet Luke Parker doesn’t.”

Indhi was right on the money, the last book Parker had read was by William Shakespeare for his VCE (Year 12).

Parker said he can now see some value in books beyond getting a coach off his back.

“It was only 190 pages and that helped,” Parker said. “It was good, there were a lot of life lessons.”