THE records will show it took three first-round draft picks for Geelong to land key forward Jeremy Cameron from the GWS Giants during the 2020 trade period.
What they don’t reveal was how keen the Giants were on emerging Cats midfielder Brandan Parfitt.
Out-of-contract heading into the trade period, it’s no surprise the 22-year-old was a player of interest to GWS.
But while the football world was speculating on Parfitt heading north, the Northern Territory product had already come to terms with Geelong on a new two-year deal.
“It was pretty crazy. We agreed upon it (new deal) a month in advance,” Parfitt said.
“And then the whole GWS saga came out, and my name was getting thrown around a little bit.
“But, the club was really good to me, and they told me I wasn’t going anywhere, and I was really happy to stay.
“I was really confident in the club not putting me out there. I’m enjoying it here and loving it.”
Parfitt, who has played 72 games since debuting in the opening round of the 2017 season, says it’s a nice feeling to know you are wanted.
“And the coaches have been awesome to me throughout my whole playing career in giving me opportunities to play,” he said.
“I’m happy to do the right thing by the club now.
“I don’t think too much about what the outside world thinks of me.
“As long as I’m doing the right thing for my club and my team, I’m pretty happy with that, to be honest.”
Entering his fifth year at GMHBA Stadium, Parfitt has had a clear run through summer for the first time since his opening pre-season.
“Taking care of my body is my biggest thing,” he said.
“In the past, I’ve been up and down with my body, and not able to train, and then missing out a couple of weeks through injury… just inconsistent with that.
“I think I’m going pretty good well with my body, and the more training I do, the more consistent I’ll be on the field.”
Since arriving at Geelong, Parfitt has been fortunate to have plenty of experience either side of him in the locker room.
The no.3 has had Irishman Zach Tuohy to his left from the time he arrived, while on his right he’s had Andrew Mackie (2017) and Gary Ablett (2018-20).
This year he’s benefitting from the nous of former North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs star Shaun Higgins.
“He’s a really good fella; he’s been helping me out a lot,” Parfitt said. “He’s obviously a really classy, experienced footballer, and he’s already made a big impact at the club.
“He speaks his mind and is a really good leader as well. I’ll try to soak up as much knowledge as I can get.”
And of his time next to future hall of farmer Ablett?
“It’s crazy because you meet him and he’s just one of the boys,” Parfitt said.
“But, you talk to other people, and they’re so starstruck about him.
“But now that he’s gone, you realise, “Wow! I was locker buddies with one of the greatest of all time.
“But, at the time, he’s just one of the lads. And he’s such a kid at heart, and he loved playing little games and joking around.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
