Swans veteran learns his fate after appeal

FORMER Sydney captain Luke Parker will sit out another five games after the appeal against his VFL suspension failed.

Parker will miss another five matches, having already served one, after the VFL Appeal Board dismissed his challenge on Monday night.

The Swans were hoping to downgrade the ban to four games, insisting the six-match suspension was excessive.

Parker will not return to the AFL until well into July, at the earliest, after being unable to force his way back into the ladder-leading Swans when he recovered from a pre-season injury.

The VFL Appeal Board rejected the submissions that the VFL Tribunal made an error in originally handing down the six-game suspension for Parker’s heavy bump on May 17 that resulted in Frankston opponent Josh Smith being taken to hospital.

Smith is expected to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks as he recovers from his injuries.