SYDNEY Swans star Luke Parker could be a chance to play again this season despite having surgery on his right lower leg on Sunday, coach John Longmire says.
The reigning club champion went down in the final quarter of the Swans' 11-pointwin over Collingwood on Friday night, and the initial fears were that Parker's year was over.
Longmire said the 22 year-old had a plate inserted to fix a lower leg fracture and is expected to miss 4-5 weeks, meaning he could return for the finals should the Swans progress into the second or third weekend of the post-season.
The coach said that while it was obviously disappointing to lose the star onballer, there was always a bright side.
"It's terrific to hear that he didn't have any significant ankle damage, so that was a real positive to come out of it," Longmire said on Monday.
"It could have been a lot worse and it's up to us, I guess, whether he gets back, as far as how deep we go (into the finals).
"From where we were Friday night to where we are today, (it's) a little bit more positive news which is a real plus."
The midfielder has averaged over 25 possessions per game in 2015 and has also kicked 18 goals in a season in which the Swans have struggled for consistency.
While recalling Parker for a cut-throat final after at least a month on the sidelines would be risky, the coach refused to rule it out and said if anyone deserved a gold card at the selection table, it was last year's Bob Skilton medallist.
"Oh yeah, once you win a best and fairest in a Grand Final year … you're not a bad chance to get back in," Longmire said with a smirk.
"I think if you're going to judge a player on their ability to get back and play a bit earlier rather than a bit later, it would be Luke Parker.
"His ability to be able to bounce back and his resilience is second to none, but it still means he has to be completely off his legs for a good week to 10 days, then he can get going again.
"What we do know about him is that he'll work really hard to get himself right and give himself every possible chance.
"The good thing is, that it gives him a glimmer of hope."
The Swans' medical staff have earned their pay packets over the past month and still have plenty of work to do to get a host of injured stars ready for this week's derby against Greater Western Sydney.
Lance Franklin (back) is the No.1 priority after missing the past two games and he would be a massive inclusion to face the Giants.
The three-time Coleman medallist resumed a running program on Monday, with an eye at increasing his workload throughout the week.
Longmire said that while having Franklin back in the side was vitally important ahead of their finals campaign, there would be no risks taken with the marquee man.
"We need to make sure that he's feeling really good on Thursday before we play him, so that's why we don't want to make any decisions on a Monday," Longmire said.
"We'll wait and see how the week pans out - there's not much room for error if he gets injured again so we need to be mindful of that."
Ben McGlynn (hamstring) is a chance to replace Parker if he can get through training this week, while forwards Gary Rohan (knee) and Isaac Heeney (soreness) came out of the Magpies game better than expected and should be fit to take on GWS.
Defender Jeremy Laidler is also a chance to face the Giants; he was subbed out of Friday night's clash at half-time but scans have revealed no strain or tear in his hamstring.
