LUKE Parker's 2014 campaign will be a tough act to follow, but Ted Richards believes Sydney Swans fans may see similar improvement in Tom Mitchell this season.
Mitchell was an emergency for last year's Grand Final loss to Hawthorn after an injury interrupted first half of the season.
The 21-year-old played his way back into form for the Swans' reserves side – gathering an eye-popping 64 disposals in one NEAFL game in May last year.
He worked his way back into the senior team in round 22, but was left out of the side for the club's finals series despite a 29-touch performance in the final game of the home and away season against Richmond.
That said the Swans are well aware of the kind of talent they have in Mitchell.
"There are quite a few guys but someone I've noticed who's really pushing themselves and I think will have a big year is Tommy Mitchell," Richards told 3AW.
"I think Tommy was pretty frustrated with his year last year and a lot of it was due to injuries and not being able to get on the park as much as he wanted, but Tommy's a guy I think will be very important for us this year."
Parker's emergence through the midfield in 2014, in which he averaged a career-high 26 disposals per game, culminated in his first club best and fairest award. The tough midfielder was also desperately unlucky not to be named in last season's All Australian side.
With Ryan O'Keefe calling time on his career last year and Adam Goodes nearing the end, Parker-like improvement from Mitchell and top draft pick Isaac Heeney will be imperative if the Swans are to remain at the top of the ladder.
"We've all been able to see how good his (Mitchell's) best is and hopefully we can see more of him because, unfortunately, quite a few players have had to deal with injuries from time to time," Richards said.
