Brandan Parfitt

Originally hailing from the Northern Territory and drafted via North Adelaide, Brandan Parfitt wasted no time impacting the top level, debuting for Geelong in Round 1 of his rookie season. A tough inside midfielder renowned for his clean hands and immense tackle pressure, Parfitt quickly became a staple of the Cats' engine room. While he lacked the elite speed of some contemporaries, his willingness to put his head over the ball and his proficiency at extracting possession from stoppages allowed Geelong's outside runners to flourish, making him a consistent contributor during the club's perennial finals campaigns between 2019 and 2021.

Parfitt's legacy at Geelong is cemented by his unique role in the 2022 Premiership. After being squeezed out of the best 22 late in the season due to the team's immense midfield depth, he was named as the medical substitute for the Grand Final against Sydney. He entered the match in the final quarter and immediately impacted the scoreboard with a goal, securing his status as a premiership player. Following the flag triumph, he struggled to reclaim a permanent spot in the senior side amidst injury setbacks and the rise of younger talent like Tanner Bruhn. Parfitt was eventually delisted at the conclusion of the 2024 season, closing the book on a respectable 130-game career in the hoops.