SANFL live stream: Port Adelaide v South Adelaide league clash from 2.10pm on Sunday
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Charlie Parker admits there have been times in the past few weeks when he has taken a deep breath and reflected on his whirlwind journey.
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In a life-changing year he has pulled the pin on a promising cricket career, made the big leap from the Adelaide Footy League to the SANFL, added to his family's Sturt football legacy by making his league debut and been coached by childhood hero Martin Mattner.
To top it off, he has even fielded AFL interest.
“Things have happened really quickly for me,’’ said Parker, as he prepared for this weekend’s SANFL clash with Port Adelaide, to be live streamed by The Advertiser.
“I haven’t had the chance to sit down and really get my head around it, coming from a cricket and Adelaide Footy League background at 23 to play league footy, but occasionally I do reflect on what’s happened and how fast my life has changed.
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“But my family and coaches quickly bring me back to earth, making sure I stay level-headed and focus on what I need to do to get better.’’
Parker will feature in the Double Blues’ trip to face the Magpies at Alberton, which will
be broadcast on advertiser.com.au from 2.10pm on Sunday.
It come on the back of his dramatic football rise.
The second-youngest of four brothers, he had played more high-level cricket than football before this year.
A leg-spinner who came through the Sturt District Cricket Club juniors, he made his first-grade debut at 20 in 2018 and played two seasons at the level, alongside oldest brother Max, a 29-year-old bowling all-rounder, who has been an integral member of the Blues side for nearly a decade.
Other brothers Angus, 19, and Lewis, 25, also saddled up alongside him at senior level in what became a real family affair, with dad Stephen and mum Deb having significant off-field roles at the club.
But Charlie’s path changed when his interest in cricket dwindled and his football coach at Adelaide University, Ben Watkins, at the end of last season told him he should have a crack at
the SANFL and rang Sturt football manager Chris Trapp.
“I played some reasonable footy in a shortened season last year and Ben discussed my future
with me and we thought why not give footy a proper crack, see what I could do at the next level,’’ Parker said.
“I didn’t want to leave that rock unturned.’’
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Parker was invited to pre-season training at Sturt in November, calling a halt to his cricket, and he performed well enough to survive the list cuts early in the New Year.
After some standout reserves performances, Parker made his league debut against Adelaide at Unley Oval in round five, having 15 disposals in the Double Blues’ thrilling one-point win.
He became the third member of his family to play league football for Sturt, joining his dad, who played 22 games in 1981-82, and uncle Greg, who played one game in 1976.
Stephen presented him with his guernsey in the Sturt changerooms prior to his debut and proudly displayed a photograph of a beaming four-year-old Charlie with Mattner, taken after the Double Blues’ 2002 grand final triumph against Central District.
“Obviously with my family background I was a Sturt supporter growing up and Marty was my favourite player,’’ Charlie said.
“I was in awe of him and to have him as my coach is very special, a bit surreal.
“It took me a while to have the confidence to go up to him to talk about my game because
he’s like a celebrity to me, but he’s easily the best coach I’ve played under and has been great for my development.’’
Parker has retained his spot in the league side, averaging 15 disposals and kicking three goals playing on a wing.
AFL recruiters are intrigued by his combination of size (192cm, 85kg), athletic prowess, blistering speed and superb long kick
The interest saw him put in a “very late’’ nomination for this month’s AFL mid-season draft, beating the deadline by minutes.
While he was overlooked, his name remains firmly on the radar of clubs.
“Playing league football has come as a bit of a shock to me, but I’m loving every minute of it and learning all the time,’’ Parker said.
“If things continue to go well, who knows what might happen in the future.’’
The Sturt v Port encounter is one of three SANFL fixtures to be broadcast by The Advertiser this weekend.
We will also live stream the Glenelg v Eagles and Norwood v Central District under-18 clashes from 11.30am on Saturday.
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