AFL legend Dermot Brereton has pleaded for Sydney to not dig its heels in over Luke Parker’s trade to North Melbourne and deal him for a late pick out of respect for the ex-skipper’s service.
Kangaroos list boss Brady Rawlings said North and Sydney were a “fair way apart” in striking a deal for Parker, who turns 32 later this month.
The Roos have offered Pick 62, while the Swans want a second-round pick. North Melbourne currently has selections 2, 25, 44 and 62.
Watch Trading Day live on Fox Footy, every weeknight until deadline day from 5pm AEDT. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
”You are taking a risk on Bailey Smith” | 02:46
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Trading Day, Brereton called for Sydney to approach the dealings with the same “integrity” Parker has given the club over his 293 game-career.
“Luke Parker has portrayed himself with such integrity and been so wonderful for that club — they have wrung everything out of his career they can get,” he said.
“I reckon it’s time for the Swans to say: ‘This man has been so good for us, his integrity is intact. We’ll keep our integrity. In fact, if you can find the last pick in the draft, give us that. Because want him to go with our good blessings’.
“Don’t fight over the pick, just take whatever, you’re not going to use it that down the list.
“When they play North Melbourne, every Swans player will shake his hand and say: ‘It was a pleasure to play with you, now I’ve experienced the pleasure of how hard it is to play against you’.”
“That’s the type of integrity I want the Swans to show here, not clawing over climbing 10 spots.”
Will Dan Houston stay at Port Adelaide? | 01:42
Brereton pointed out that Hawthorn in 2016 traded an “all-time great” in Sam Mitchell to West Coast for a suite of late picks due to “the integrity of career,” imploring the Swans to follow suit.
“Because (Hawthorn) said: ‘You gave us so much, your integrity is intact, we will accept this’. It was just to say thank you,” the five-time premiership player added.
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph meanwhile thinks it’s a good opportunity for the Swans to make a head start on banking funds to table a mega deal to Chad Warner with the star midfielder’s future clouded.
Warner is out of contract next year and set to draw big offers from clubs in his home state Western Australia.
“If you’re Sydney, you cop Pick 62 for a player who has given so much for you. You bank the $800,000 and push it all to Chad Warner and say here’s the money — that’s the start of a six-year deal on $1.5 million a year,” Ralph said.
“You let (Parker) go with good grace.”
Discussion about this post