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AFL trade target Parker wins Swans' award

3 minute read

Sydney co-captain Luke Parker has won the AFL club's best-and-fairest award for a third time.

LUKE PARKER of the Swans.
LUKE PARKER of the Swans. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Co-captain Luke Parker has claimed his third best-and-fairest award at Sydney as speculation swirls about whether the star will be at the AFL club in 2022.

Parker led from the front throughout 2021, helping the Swans return to finals after a two-season absence.

The midfielder played all 23 games this year, averaged 28 disposals and polled a total of 543 votes from Sydney's coaching staff.

Jake Lloyd (504) and Jordan Dawson (502) were Parker's closest rivals on the leaderboard.

The Swans' awards night was a virtual event on Thursday, when Parker equalled Adam Goodes and other club greats in winning his third Bob Skilton medal.

Parker, who has played 235 games since being drafted in 2010, is yet to sign a contract extension beyond his current deal that expires this year.

The 28-year-old recently told Triple M he wasn't concerned about contract negotiations with the Swans, expressing hope it "will get sorted in the near future".

Speaking on Thursday, Parker highlighted "special relationships" built at the club throughout a testing 2021 that involved a stint away from home that spanned almost 10 weeks.

"We will continue to build on that and there's no doubt we will continue to grow," Parker said.

"I look back at the memories and the highlights from this year and I couldn't be more grateful for those or grateful for the moments that the people at this club bring, it just makes football and life enjoyable.

"Some of the wins we have had have been incredible."

Parker added he has particularly enjoyed helping young guns James Rowbottom, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell develop.

"Knowing I was in that position - and the growth and expertise that Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Jarrad McVeigh gave me when I was first at the club," he 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."

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