Former Sydney captain Luke Parker is reportedly "open to exploring a move" to a new team this off-season after a heavily interrupted 2024 campaign.
Parker is contracted for next season, having turned his back on the opportunity to explore free agency in 2021 to ink a four-year extension with the Swans.
That deal came shortly after Parker claimed his third Swans best and fairest and capped off one of his best seasons in the red and white, with Sydney's reliance on the Langwarrin product growing significantly that off-season due to the departures of George Hewett and Jordan Dawson from their midfield pack.
While Parker has remained an integral piece in Sydney's premiership pursuit, their 2024 season has taken a different look given the 31-year-old's extended absence through injury and suspension.
Parker missed the start of the year due to a shoulder injury sustained in the pre-season and was required to return through the VFL when cleared to play in late April. He played a month at the state league level as the Swans' senior side was thriving atop the competition as breakaway flag favourites.
In Parker's fourth game for the Swans' reserves, the veteran Swan collected Frankston player Josh Smith with a heavy bump that resulted in a six-game suspension, placing him inactive until Round 18 of the AFL season.
Parker returned to the senior side that weekend to face North Melbourne and was named as the sub, eventually coming into the game as a replacement for injured midfielder Justin McInerney.
Parker has since been required to spend most of his game time outside of midfield given the form of guns Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner and James Rowbottom in his absence, with Parker named as the tactical sub in three of his five games.
The 288-gamer has been dependable as a forward asset in recent weeks given Tom Papley's absence through injury, with the small forward's incoming return from an ankle setback potentially a cause for concern for Parker.
According toย AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey, the situation has led Parker to assess his future in the Harbour City ahead of next year.
"This is an interesting one. Luke Parker has a year to run on his deal at Sydney," Twomey toldย Gettable.ย
"My understanding is the former Swans skipper is open to exploring a move to a rival club at the end of the year.
"Has only played five games, has been squeezed out of the midfield. Does he get squeezed out of the forward line when Tom Papley gets back in the coming weeks?
"Is there a taker? I think he's gettable, it's just a matter of if there's a home there for him."
Parker has previously been raised as an ideal target for North Melbourne, who have flagged a desire to add experience to their young core this year.
The Kangaroos were recently linked with Melbourne hard-nut Jack Viney, who is also contracted beyond 2024.
Parker would be able to bring unparalleled experience to Arden Street and help mentor the club's promising midfield and forward groups.
St Kilda have previously been linked to Parker given his local ties to the club, however the Saints are unlikely to invest in a player on the wrong side of 30 as they look to place a greater degree of attention to the draft this year.
Parker has 14 years of AFL experience, having played at least 17 or more games in 12 campaigns prior to this year.
