Parsons ‘class above’
GEELONG midfielder James Parsons knows he has to be patient, but that will not stop him beating down the door for AFL selection.
The 22-year-old continued his strong run of form, gathering 22 touches and kicking two clutch goals in Saturday’s VFL loss to Box Hill.
Parsons, who played 31 AFL matches between 2017-18, has managed just two senior appearances this season despite showing promise in a new role as an inside midfielder.
With Geelong sitting on top of the AFL ladder and boasting a midfield full of star power, Parsons knows games are hard to secure.
“I will try and push my way in and also wait for an opening,” Parsons said.
“If there is an opening I will take it with both hands and just go for it, that’s probably the mindset at the moment.
“I am just improving each week. The aim is to get back in the AFL side, but we are obviously doing very, very well at the moment and it’s not an easy side to get in to.
“I am just being consistent and showing I can do it for four quarters.
“I am feeling confident in my game at the moment. I’ve got a lot of things to improve on, but I’m comfortable I will play my role if I come in.”
Playing predominantly as a
Geelong West Giants star Sophie O’Dea hit the ground running on debut, putting in a strong performance in the midfield. “For someone like her to come in as an inside-mid and play her role was great,” Geelong VFLW coach Natalie L. Meadows 2, J. Ross 2, M. Walker, N. Mullenger-McHugh, W. Golds, N. Boucher, D. Minchington, H. Jones, J. Ceglar, J. Nanscawen, J. Roughead.
L. Smith 2, J. Parsons 2, W. Buzza 2, Q. Narkle, Z. Smith, J. Tarca, S. Simpson, O. Brownless.
J. Ceglar, G. Birchall, H. Jones, D. Mirra, T. Miles, J. Roughead. J. Parsons, S. Selwood, W. Buzza, S. Simpson, O. Brownless, J. Kennerley small forward early in his AFL career, Parsons has moved into the midfield this season.
“I am enjoying it,” Parsons said. “I did a lot of the pre-season there and then training against (Patrick) Dangerfield, (Joel) Selwood, Tim Kelly ... those guys are just guns. I got a lot of exposure against them.”
Parsons described VFL coach Shane O’Bree as “amazing” for his development, while Scott Selwood has also helped him adapt to the midfield.
O’Bree said Parsons was smashing down the door with his VFL performances.
“Parso has had an amazing six weeks. The last two weeks he has looked a class above VFL level,” O’Bree said.
GEELONG CATS: HAWKS: CATS: