Former Sydney Swans captain Luke Parker has undergone surgery for a broken arm suffered in last week’s AFL match simulation against cross-town rivals GWS.
The star midfielder was hurt in the last quarter during Thursday’s scratch match.
He went under the knife the next day, with the Swans only confirming the news on Monday.
Stream analysis, local footy and the biggest moments free on 7plus
The 31-year-old is set to meet with specialists again this Friday to map out his timeline to return to play, which is certain to rule him out of an Opening Round berth against Melbourne next Thursday.
Parker’s indefinite return date is among the worst possible news for Sydney with newly installed standalone captain Callum Mills still on the sidelines following off-season surgery.
Mills, 26, damaged the rotator cuff in his left shoulder while wrestling a teammate on Mad Monday last year.
He is not expected to return until midway through the year.
The Swans will need to rotate the captaincy until Mills returns but Parker’s injury guarantees he will not make a swift return as a stand-in skipper after only recently relinquishing the co-captaincy role.
Their absences early in the home-and-away season will be partly offset by the addition of key recruits Taylor Adams, who sat out the GWS scratch match, and James Jordon.
Jordon impressed alongside star ruck recruit Brodie Grundy in the 26-point win over the Giants.
Grundy, 29, will lead the Swans in the middle on his own this year after his partnership with Max Gawn lasted just one seaon at Melbourne.
Sydney assistant coach Mark McVeigh said the big man “did some really good things” against the Giants.
“I think we’re all excited with what we’ve seen, not only with his ruck work, but also around the ground,” McVeigh said.
– With Glenn Valencich