Tough midfielder Brandan Parfitt is reaping the advantages of a robust summer time preparation and prolonged run at AFL degree with out harm, Geelong coach Chris Scott says.
Parfitt has endured a collection of setbacks all through his 128-game profession, together with a severe hamstring harm throughout his 2017 debut season and a damaged thumb within the 2020 grand-final loss to Richmond.
He was struck down by additional accidents and sickness final yr however the 26-year-old, who featured because the medi-sub in Geelong’s 2022 premiership facet, has put collectively a extra constant 2024 marketing campaign.
Parfitt ranks second on the membership for each tackles and clearances and fourth for contested possessions, and might be key to the Cats’ possibilities when he performs his first AFL sport in his residence city of Darwin, towards Gold Coast on Thursday night time.
“He’s had some challenges along the way and his last pre-season was clearly his best,” Scott mentioned.
“(It was) uninterrupted and he is in as good a physical shape as he’s ever been, so he’s giving himself a chance to let that talent flow through.
“It’s a bit underrated as of late how even actually gifted gamers will be restricted by their preparation or little niggly accidents.
“More than anything what we’ve seen from Brandan is just an opportunity for him to play at his best without these limitations.”
Amid a give attention to declining numbers of Indigenous draftees coming into the AFL system, Scott is hopeful gamers like Parfitt that includes within the league’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round can encourage extra Aboriginal children to chase their goals.
“I wouldn’t like to suggest that because we have rounds like these that it solves all the problems,” Scott mentioned.
“But maybe there is a case to be made that a young Indigenous boy watching the Cats play in Sir Doug Nicholls Round and seeing a bit more of Brandan Parfitt’s story, or the other Indigenous players around the competition, might inspire them to think, ‘well, if it’s possible for them, it’s possible for me’,” Scott mentioned.
“If that’s something little that happens from it then I think it is something that’s well worth doing.”
Parfitt will line up in a rejigged Geelong engine room towards Gold Coast, with inexperienced ruckman Toby Conway, Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn all recalled.
Six-game tall ahead Shannon Neale can also be again after Geelong opted to relaxation premiership stars Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley and Mitch Duncan.
Jeremy Cameron is unavailable whereas in concussion protocols.
Gold Coast have additionally gone down the participant administration path, resting co-captain Jarrod Witts, Nick Holman, Jed Walter and Jake Rogers.
Veteran midfielder David Swallow and Brayden Fiorini return after per week off, with Sam Day and younger ruckman Ned Moyle additionally recalled.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
