Ex-fan hopes to turn the tables
THIS time last year, Geelong youngster Brandan Parfitt would have been sitting on the couch and cheering on Richmond against the Cats in a qualifying final.
Fast forward to now and the fleet-footed youngster hopes to play a key role in bringing down the Tigers at the MCG tonight.
The 19-year-old grew up a Richmond fan back at home in the Northern Territory, but that ended when he was taken by the Cats with pick 26 in last year’s national draft.
“I played for Nightcliff Tigers and I stuck with the Tigers. I used to love watching Dusty (Dustin Martin), (Trent) Cotchin, Alex Rance,” Parfitt said.
“I used to go for Richmond, so 12 months ago I would have loved for them to get over the Cats. Now here I am wanting to beat Richmond.
“They’re a quality team and hopefully we can come home with the chocolates.”
Parfitt will join an elite group of Geelong players, becoming the latest to play a final for the Cats in their first season on an AFL list.
Defender Tom Ruggles achieved that last year, while Mark Blicavs (2013), Jordan Murdoch (2012) and Joel Selwood (2007) are others to have made an immediate impact on a team challenging in September.
“It’s so cool, I guess. You have to pinch yourself a little bit,” Parfitt said when told of that stat. “For myself it’s such a surprise. Twelve months ago I was a (AFL) hopeful, then six months ago I was hoping just to slip in and play a few games.
“Now here I am with an opportunity to play finals. It’s very exciting.
“I am handling it all right now (the nerves). I’ve got such a good group around me with Joel, who has been there and done that, Harry (Taylor) and all the senior guys as well — I can lean on them for advice.”
The quietly spoken Parfitt has been a revelation, bringing a defensive pressure desperately needed in Geelong’s forward line.
Geelong had always been admirers of Parfitt, who was named as an All-Australian at under-17 level, as he came through the elite junior footy path way.
“In the AFL academy you see a lot of the recruiters and have a little chat to all of them. I spoke to Geelong a little bit but they never came over to my house or anything like that,” he said. “It was a bit of a surprise that they picked me.
“Some recruiters are a bit harder than others. Geelong . . . were laid back and asked a couple of questions and I just thought since they weren’t really interested in asking me detailed questions, (that) they weren’t that interested.”
Chatting to recruiters is always a challenging experience and Parfitt had his fair share of curve balls.
“Essendon asked me to spell Adelaide backwards and do some times tables, so that was challenging,” he said. “It put me on the spot a bit. “Going through the whole draft process I was pretty nervous..”
Good mate Daniel Rioli was drafted by the Tigers with pick 15 in the 2015 draft.
The two will be playing similar roles either side of the ground on Friday night.
“I’m also close with Daniel Rioli and I was rapt for him to get drafted there last year,” Parfitt said.
“I grew up with Daniel and here we are playing on the ’G Friday night in front of a big crowd.”
Parfitt has slowly built momentum since being drafted by the Cats.
He was one of the summer sizzlers and was rewarded with NAB Challenge games.
His form then warranted selection in Geelong’s Round 1 clash with Fremantle.
Only a serious hamstring injury in the Round 6 loss to Collingwood saw Parfitt drop out of the team.
And then once he recovered he only played one game at VFL level before being recalled to the senior team.
Parfitt said it was “pretty cool” the coaches continued to show so much faith in him, but he knows he has to repay that with a strong performance in front of almost 100,000 people against the Tigers.
“If we are all switched on and contest oriented (then we will win),” he said.
“We have to bring the heat. The ’G is a lot bigger, so we have to run a bit harder.
“The key (forwards) are going to make the contest and hopefully (I can) get to their feet and crumb and do something with the ball.
“Just for me, it’s bringing that defensive pressure and locking in that forward half.”