Geelong’s Brandan Parfitt to play AFL to make Territory homecoming against Suns

Brandan Parfitt has not played in his hometown of Darwin for 10 years, but this week finally gets that chance when his Cats take on the Gold Coast. Read what the return means to him.

Territorian Brandan Parfitt’s AFL career has taken him right across Australia since competition giants Geelong made him their first pick at the 2016 national draft, but never to his hometown of Darwin.

That will all change on Thursday night when 26-year-old Parfitt runs on to TIO Stadium in his 129th appearance in the famous blue and white hoops.

The Round 10 clash officially opens the AFL’s celebration of indigenous footballers in the form of Sir Doug Nichols Round and it comes against “home” side the Gold Coast Suns.

Brandan Parfitt of the Cats in action during the round nine AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It will be Parfitt’s first appearance as a player in the Top End since he plied his trade with original club Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Football League as a 16 year old.

“I didn’t really expect to play at AFL level at home in Darwin and to be able to do it front of my family and friends will be pretty special,” Parfitt said.

“To play for Geelong, with all of my extended family and the people I grew up with watching will be pretty cool and Ben Long is in that group as a Gold Coast player, adds another piece to the occasion.”

Parfitt has played seven of Geelong’s nine games through the midfield this season, getting back to the consistency and skill that dominated his first seven seasons at the club.

He made grand final appearances in 2020, when he broke his thumb against Richmond, and 2022, when he kicked a late goal in his side’s premiership win over Sydney.

“I feel like I’ve gotten back to playing consistent, hard footy but I also feel like I’ve got a lot of improvement left in me to continue playing at the highest level,” he said.

“Plus I’ve stayed healthy and am in a good head space to continue performing at my best at the highest level.”

Brandan Parfitt of the Cats in action during the 2024 AFL Round 09 match between the Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Second-on-the-ladder Geelong is likely to be without veterans Tom Hawkins (managed), Jeremy Cameron (concussion protocol) and Patrick Dangerfield (injury) for the trek north as they look to snap a two-game losing streak.

“Those three are probably our most experienced and influential players, but their absence only makes us want to perform better along with the younger guys, who come into the side after getting an opportunity,” Parfitt said.

“It will be a big challenge, Gold Coast are playing some good footy and they play the ground and conditions up there pretty well in what is their second home now.

“Everyone is asking me questions around the club on how hot it is up here to play footy and what to expect, but really it gets down to the players coming here with the right mindset to play their best footy.”