SEASON 2021 was another year of steady improvement for the Cats' most impressive young midfielder.
Parfitt secured his first top 10 finish in the Carji Greeves medal and at just 23 years old is a crucial cog in Geelong’s midfield future.
The elusive Cat and tackling machine recorded career highs in disposals and clearances as he continued to increase his midfield minutes.
Keenly missed in Geelong’s preliminary final loss to the Demons, Parfitt went under the knife post-season to repair the high-grade hamstring tear he suffered against the Giants in Geelong’s semi final victory.
Season Averages
Disposals: 18.8 (9th at Geelong)
Tackles: 5.6 (13th in AFL)
Pressure Acts: 20.3 (1st at Geelong)
Contested Possessions: 7.8 (5th at Geelong)
Clearances: 3.2 (4th at Geelong)
Standout Moment
With an evasive sidestep and a candy-selling fake that has left many grasping at thin air, Parfitt is just as effective at avoiding tackles as he is laying them.
Parfitt added young Hawk CJ Jiath to his list of victims in Round 3.
The slick Cat sold Jiath a snap on his right before pivoting onto his left and kicking a crucial goal.
Stats File
Brandan Parfitt’s tackling numbers aren’t just good, they’re elite.
Many of Geelong’s trade and free-agency signings have remarked in recent years that they just didn’t realise how good Parfitt was until they arrived at the club.
With 5.6 tackles per game, Parfitt ranked inside the top 15 players in the league. His pressure acts put him inside the top 50.
Game-Breaking Performance
The first three-vote performance of Parfitt’s career arrived in Round 5 against North Melbourne.
Parfitt recorded a career high in both disposals (34) and clearances (eight) and managed seven tackles to complement the outstanding ball winning.
Backing the performance up with another three vote, 30 disposal effort in Round 11, Geelong will be hoping to see more and more of these breakout ball-winning outbursts as Parfitt develops.
The Quote
Parfitt provides the perfect midfield foil for the explosive, clearance-winning capacity of Dangerfield, Selwood and Guthrie.
The ability of the former number 26 draft pick to lay a tackle when needed allows the Cats midfield to flow forward with confidence.
