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Autopsy 2018 NAB AFL Draft

  • Thread starter Thread starter George
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Matthew Parker (South Fremantle)
The exciting 22-year-old forward has plenty of raw ability and would improve rapidly in an elite AFL system. Parker has slotted 24 majors in 15 games for the Bulldogs and has athletic traits that will no doubt turn recruiters' heads. He is a good size at 187cm, blessed with rapid speed, loves to lay a tackle (averaging four per match) and isn't shy jumping for a speccy either.
 
LIVEWIRE South Fremantle forward Matthew Parker credits teammate Marlion Pickett, partner Shardah and eight-month- old baby son Matthew Jr for getting his life and career back on track and creating the chance to be drafted.

Parker, 22, who averages almost a goal-and-a-half a game for South since his debut in round 17, 2017, said his partner and baby had given him purpose.

Pickett, also considered a strong chance to be drafted at 26, had been like a big brother.

“My mindset wasn’t really there for me when I was younger. I had a couple of off-road things,” Parker said.


“Now I have matured. I have got a family and I am trying to make things better for my boy and myself. Make a big change for my family. Matthew junior has just turned eight months and life is great. I want to be a role model for my boy. I never had a role model. I want to set an example for my boy.”

Parker has kicked 39 goals in 23 WAFL senior games. He ran an impressive 2.95sec. 20m sprint and a respectable 20.6 yo-yo test at Sunday’s State draft combine after what he described as a consistent year for the Bulldogs. It is a case of waiting and hoping now, he said.

Parker credited Pickett and Geelong’s Tim Kelly for “showing him the ropes” when he first arrived at South after drifting through amateur football.

“It is great to see Tim move up and be killing it in the AFL. They want me to succeed,” Parker said. “Marlion is like the big brother I never had. He just wants me to keep going.”

He described partner Shardah as “the rock to my success” and said he had tried to block out the AFL interest in him during the season to focus on playing well.

“It is not too bad having some interest,” Parker said. “It is the first time it has ever happened to me. I am not going to lie, it is pretty amazing.”
 

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Looks a weird unit. I like it.
Yeah, some folk were complaining about Trout's nice, polite, boring schoolboys.

Welcome Matt Parker :drunk:

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