Brandan Parfitt made a successful return to football through the VFL on Saturday, showing no signs of the hamstring injury that kept him out for eight weeks.
The 2016 draftee was amongst the best players in the VFL Cats’ victory over Coburg with 26 disposals and nine tackles.
Despite Parfitt’s time on the sidelines, the 19-year-old said it didn’t take him long to get adjusted to playing football again.
“I’ve been training with the group for the last two weeks and have been trying to get a lot out of the match play at training,” he said.
“I reckon I was a chance last week to probably play but decided to give it another week and I’m feeling really good with my body.
“I really wanted to come in and find the footy and I started in the middle so that made it easier and I found a few touches early.”
Geelong fans at Simonds Stadium on Saturday were thrilled to see Parfitt back out on the field, with the loudest cheer of the day coming when Parfitt kicked a goal in the first quarter.
It was Parfitt’s first match with the VFL side and the young Cat said he enjoyed his time with a new group in the 85-point victory.
“I haven’t been able to play with the VFL boys much so far so it was good to run around with those blokes,” Parfitt said.
“I trained pretty hard during the rehab process and it was good to get back and get the win.”
The round three NAB Rising Star nominee is hopeful of a senior recall but is happy to bide his time in the VFL before he is given a chance.
However, a return to the AFL side may come as soon as this weekend with Parfitt joining the senior squad in Queensland.
“There is still no certainty that I’ll be playing but I’ll be training with the senior squad and go from there,” Parfitt said.
“I am going up to the Gold Coast with the boys so I think I’m in the squad but no certainties, I am happy to still play VFL if that is the case.”
While Parfitt plays with the maturity and composure of a seasoned AFL player, he isn’t one to take opportunities for granted and is always looking to improve his game.
“I’ve been surprised, I didn’t expect to come in and play a lot of senior footy early on and I think I’ve just taken it week by week, just trying to get better.”