Still hunting consistency, Parfitt happy with Cats
OUT-OF-CONTRACT midfielder Brandan Parfitt is keen to stay at Geelong as he looks to begin negotiations for a new deal.
The 22-year-old signed a one-year extension last year, leaving him without a deal heading into 2021.
The Northern Territorian said he hadn’t been privy to any talks yet between his management and the club but was happy to stay with the Cats.
“I’ve got heaps of good mates here and I’m pretty happy right now,” Parfitt told K rock.
“I haven’t really heard too much about it. I have just been focusing on getting a game and getting a kick each week but I guess I’ll have to chat with my manager, I haven’t really spoken to him for a little bit.”
Parfitt has played 61 matches with Geelong since he was drafted with pick 26 in the 2016 AFL Draft and is seen as a long-term cog in the midfield.
He leads the club for average tackles and pressure points so far in 2020 and has lifted his clearance output to average 3.3 per game in increased midfield minutes.
Parfitt is part of a large Geelong contingent out of contract at the end of this year, including Tom Hawkins, Zach Tuohy, Quinton Narkle and Jack Henry.
Now in his fourth year on an AFL list, Parfitt said he was searching for consistency to help him improve his game.
“I think at times I can lose confidence and gain confidence throughout games and that’s probably where I need to take the next step where I can go after the footy and back myself in because that is when I play my best footy,” he said.
The hard-tackling midfielder was rested for Geelong’s meeting with North Melbourne last night but said he was likely to return for Monday’s game against St Kilda.
Fellow Cats Gary Rohan, Jake Kolodjashnij and Esava
Ratugolea were all managed for the clash with the Kangaroos.
Having dealt with injury issues in the past two years, Parfitt said it was the right time to rest his body.
“I have probably been a bit sore for the last few weeks and with the shorter turnaround, it was probably a good decision to have a rest,” he said.
“I think a few boys are in that position so hopefully we can freshen up and get going for the following (match).”