PREMIERSHIP midfielder Luke Parker is close to inking a new long-term deal with the Sydney Swans.
AFL.com.au understands the 20-year-old, who was drafted from the Dandenong Stingrays in Victoria, is likely to sign a three-year contract which will see him tied to the club to the end of 2016.
In only his third season at the Swans since being selected with pick 40 at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, the midfielder has become an important member of the club's onball brigade.
His toughness and smarts around the stoppages is valued, and he was a substitute in last year's Grand Final win over Hawthorn, coming into the game for the final term.
After spending the pre-season improving his fitness, Parker has played every game this season and averaged more than 20 possessions and six tackles an outing.
A graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy, the 48-gamer has established himself as a regular member of the Swans outfit.
"We think he's a really good player," coach John Longmire said last year.
"He's a fierce competitor, he's just got a want to be the best player he can be, and we're confident he's going to be a very good footy player for our club."
Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey
