Fit Parfitt shows class in push for a Cats recall
GEELONG youngster Brandan Parfitt has declared himself fit to tackle Brisbane next weekend, after an impressive return from a hamstring injury in the VFL yesterday.
The 19-year-old Territorian, who played the opening six matches of the season before suffering the hamstring injury, said he would travel to the Gold Coast today to train with his senior teammates.
The Cats will spend the week training on the Gold Coast before taking on the Lions at the Gabba next Saturday night.
“I’m going up to the Gold Coast with the boys, so I think I’m in the squad, but there are no certainties and I’m happy to still play VFL if that’s the case,” Parfitt said.
“I reckon I was a chance last week to play, but decided to give it another week. I’m feeling really good with my body.”
Cats VFL coach Shane O’Bree said Parfitt showed plenty of touch on return, racking up 26 disposals, four marks and a goal in the 85point win over Coburg at Simonds Stadium.
“He played as an inside mid and a high forward. His touch was good, his ability around the stoppages and his footwork and cleanliness was good to watch,” O’Bree said.
Parfitt, a round two selec- tion (No.26 overall) in last year’s national draft, earned an AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 3. He said he had surprised himself in such a short amount of time.
He showed no signs of any duress in his first match in almost two months.
Sam Dobson kicked six goals for the Cats, as they clinched their second consecutive win to edge closer to the top eight.