The sliding doors moment that put Paige Parker on the path to the AFLW
Pagie Parker’s sliding doors moment came at a football game that turned her from spectator into player. The Australian touch football representative has gone from being neighbours with some AFL players to playing in the AFLW herself.
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PAIGE Parker’s sliding doors moment came at a football game that turned her from spectator into player.
The Australian touch football representative had no plans to pick up the Sherrin, she was at the top level of her own sport.
But her decision to watch a NEAFL game between the Brisbane Lions and Aspley changed everything.
Parker was there to watch neighbours and then Aspley-players Corey and Josh Wagner go up against Isaac Conway, the brother of her friend Sophie Conway who has gone on to play for the Lions.
“I was actually just kicking the footy at one of the boys games on the weekend and one ladies from AFL Queensland came and gave me their card and asked if I wanted to play footy.”
Parker went on to spend three years as a train-on player for Brisbane before being drafted by the Lions with pick 9 of the 2018 AFLW draft.
The 24-year-old played four games for Brisbane last season before joining Gold Coast, who she also played in the Winter Series for before her Lions stint.
“It feels super exciting because we are a brand new team starting from scratch,” Parker said.
“I felt most comfortable here at the Suns from the Winter Series two years ago.
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“That series is where I felt most comfortable on the pitch and where I played my best footy.
“I wanted to come back.”
Parker spent most of last season playing as a defender but looks destined to shift forward in 2020.
Having former Lions assistant David Lake also at the helm of the Suns also played a huge factor in Parker’s decision to shift south.
“He is really great at building connections with everyone in the team and getting the best out of his players.”
Parker was one of seven Lions players to join Gold Coast, along with Leah Kaslar, Emma Pittman, Sam Virgo, Lauren Bella, Tori Groves-Little and Jacqui Yorston.
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“Everyone has their own reasons for moving and I think we all explained to the Lions why we moved personally and why it was the best decision for us,” Parker said.
“I hope there are no hard feelings but you never know. I guess we will see out on the pitch.”
Parker was last night named in Gold Coast’s side for their Round 1 clash with GWS on Saturday.
The team will feature 10 AFLW debutants, including Lauren Ahrens, Jade Pregelj, Lexi Hamilton, Cheyenne Hammond, Dee Heslop, Jordann Hickey, Kalinda Howarth, Molly Ritson, Kate Surman and Serene Watson.
For the full AFLW Round 1 teams, read pages 26 and 27 of today’s Gold Coast Bulletin.
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