Parker to become a life Blood at Swans

OPPOSITION list bosses can forget about making a Hail Mary recruiting pitch to star Swan Luke Parker.

The Sydney co-captain has effectively committed the rest of his football life to the Swans, re-signing for four more seasons.

Parker’s contract negotiations spilling into Sydney’s offseason had offered hope to rivals that they could bolster their midfield with the Melbourne-raised unrestricted free agent.

The latest inference was the 28-year-old could be an option for Brisbane, with Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale weighing up a return to Western Australia and potentially Fremantle.

But Parker’s new deal ties him to the Swans until 2025, in a huge signing that helps maintain the momentum the club gathered this year.

“I absolutely love the club and I wanted to be part of the long term and really drive the group through this next period,” he said.

“I’m really excited about what the future looks like. We have a great group and we have taken some big steps forward this year.

“The group we’ve got coming through is so exciting.

“We’ve got some young guys who are just starting out in their careers and you ride the bumps with them, you ride the exciting times with them, and it’s such good fun.”

Parker (pictured) in April said he wanted to repay Sydney for what the club and his teammates had done for him in the early stages of his career.

The 235-gamer averaged a career-most 28 disposals this year, to go with 13 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles as he claimed his third Swans best and fairest award. He was again shortlisted for the All-australian squad and has featured in the top three of Sydney’s club champion count for five straight seasons.

Parker and Josh Kennedy provide the experience in a reshaped and youthful on-ball brigade that includes Callum Mills, James Rowbottom, Chad Warner and Ollie Florent.