When it dawned on Roos recruit Parker that it was time to leave the Swans

It dawned on Luke Parker during the 2024 season that perhaps his time at the Sydney Swans was coming to an end.

The 32-year-old had his 14-year association with the Swans ended when a trade was made with North Melbourne on deadline day in October.

After 293 games in red and white, Parker felt the time was right to make the jump as it became apparent to him that the Swans were moving in a different direction - a direction that likely did not include him.

Parker, the former Swans co-captain, admits his confidence was not high regarding a 15th season in Sydney which prompted him to ponder his options.

“It probably wasn’t until this year or halfway through,” Parker said on SEN Breakfast regarding when he started considering his next move.

“For me it was basically that I started to feel that the club or certain things were heading in a new direction. The club has got to do what is best for the club, and I can fully understand that.

“I still felt that I had a lot of good football ahead of me and a lot to offer. I wasn’t too confident in what my future looked like at the Swans.

“So that was really the reason that I started to look around. I probably always had in my head that I’d be a one-club player, but these days things do change really quickly and clubs go in a different direction.

“That is going to happen more and more these days. I think it will be very rare to see a one-club player as they get over the 12 to 13-year mark.”

Parker insists that he has not chosen the Kangaroos simply to “milk” the twilight of his career.

He feels that there is plenty to work with and internally at Arden Street there is a lot to be excited about.

“I wasn’t coming here to milk my career for an extra couple of years and just get through to see how long I could play for,” he added.

“I’m a pretty competitive person, I always want to win, so I’m not coming here to get an extra few years and hopefully help a few boys and develop the team. I’m here to take us to where we want to go and to where I want to go.

“I’ve got full belief that there’s a possibility of that with my time here.

“That’s the thing that surprised me, I think we’re actually a lot closer than what people on the outside would think.”

Parker, who is undertaking his 15th pre-season, is currently with the Roos in Southport as part of the club’s summer camp.

Listen to the full chat with Parker below: