The keys to Brunswick’s stunning form in season 2024

Brunswick is only just starting to see “how good” its star forward is after an incredible 2024 season far. Coach Tom Hunter opens up on Hayden Parker’s form and why there is more to come from his side.

Brunswick celebrate their win. Photo: Andrew Batsch

Brunswick coach Tom Hunter couldn’t be happier to have Hayden Parker in his forward line.

In his second season with the club, the 23-year-old sits on top of the VAFA Division 2 goalkicking charts with 57 majors from 12 games.

After playing eight senior games last year — after the first month of the year in the reserves — Parker has emerged as one of the competition’s powerhouse forwards.

He joined Brunswick while recovering from a knee injury suffered while playing in Western Australia.

Parker would miss every game between rounds 13 and 18 last year and played in the reserves’ first semi-final.

His first season included 22 goals, it was almost enough to win the club’s goalkicking award.

Now after what Hunter described as a “huge pre-season”, Parker is playing a key role in his side’s premiership push.

“He’s got himself super fit, worked really hard to put himself in the best condition of his career,” Hunter said.

“It’s been a magnificent transformation and we’re starting to see just how good this guy is. He was already playing some super footy and he’s only getting better.

“His attitude is fantastic, he’s still a younger guys and still has areas he is aiming to improve on every week.”

Brunswick sing the team song in the rooms after the game.Photo: Andrew Batsch

Brunswick currently are the red hot premiership favourites and in recent weeks have been able to play a more dynamic forward line with three talls.

It comes with former Northcote Park big man Ben Young coming into the senior side in the last two games.

“The three talls can make it difficult for opposition to work out who to match up on and all those guys give us something different,” Hunter said.

“Gus Cloverdale has played some good footy up forward but we can throw him into the middle as well. Tom Wilson popped up with three goals on the weekend.

“The flexibility is something you’re always looking for.”

Hunter, the former Richmond AFLW coach, has been with the club since the Covid shortened 2021 season when Brunswick was relegated to Division 2.

Since then, the club has played finals in both seasons and he’s loving every minute of it.

“I just want to be there all the time,” he said.

“Sometimes you can get to the middle of the season and it becomes monotonous, but I’m loving working with the players and they have a great attitude towards wanting to get better.”

Brunswick players celebrate a goal. Photo: Andrew Batsch

While Brunswick secured a comfortable win over second place Elsternwick on the weekend, Hunter knows his side can’t afford to be complacent in the run home.

“Elsternwick, South Melbourne Districts – who beat us – have a lot of talent,” he said.

“The competition is so even this year, you can’t afford to expect to win. We know we need to be playing our best footy every week.”

Brunswick will take on Aquinas this weekend.