WAFL club South Fremantle has been given a significant and timely finals boost, with Richmond mid-season recruit Matthew Parker “temporarily released” from his AFL duties to help the Bulldogs’ premiership tilt.
South Freo on Tuesday confirmed it had reached an agreement with Richmond, as well as the West Australian Football Commission, that allowed Parker to play in the 2021 WAFL finals series before returning to his AFL club for next season.
Parker, a former St Kilda player, starred for East Fremantle during the early part of this season, averaging 20.4 disposals per game. Three days after booting 4.1 from 26 disposals and nine marks against West Coast, the Tigers selected Parker with Pick 10 in the mid-season rookie draft.
Watch every AFL final until the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14 Days Free Now >
The 25-year-old was then selected for Richmond’s final six games of the home and away season, booting three goals and averaging 13.2 disposals per match.
Parker is also eligible to play in the WAFL finals because he played at least five league games prior to joining Richmond.
Bulldogs WAFL coach Todd Curley said his club “values the ongoing positive relationship” it had with Richmond and thanked it for its support in helping secure Parker’s services for the finals.
“Matt is one of ours and was voted into the leadership group in 2021,” Curley said.
“He trained hard all summer, played with us until drafted and has remained invested in our team after his return to the AFL with the Richmond Football Club.”
“Matt, our players and our coaches are all excited to have him back and involved for finals.”
The WAFC confirmed Richmond has approved Parker’s involvement in the WAFL finals.
“Under the WAFL Rules and Regulations, any WAFL player that is selected in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft has the right to return to their original club to participate in finals,” a WAFC statement read.
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES OR SPOTIFY
South Fremantle finished second on the WAFL ladder, meaning it’ll play Claremont in a qualifying final this Saturday afternoon.
While Parker has been allowed to re-join South Freo for finals, West Perth confirmed West Coast’s “medical team” have advised the club mid-season AFL recruit Connor West won’t be available to return for its own finals campaign.
Like Parker, West was picked up in the mid-season rookie draft, selected by the Eagles with Pick 23 after averaging 28 disposals and six tackles from six WAFL matches for Perth. He then played in West Coast’s final five games of the season, averaging 12.6 disposals and 6.8 contested possessions.
But West won’t be allowed to re-join the Falcons for the finals, with West Coast citing he needed a six to eight-week rest and rehabilitation period to overcome an ankle injury and groin soreness.
“Whilst it would have been a lift to have Connor available for selection it wasn’t to be, due to a couple of injury concerns,” Falcons head of football Steve Trewhella said in a statement.
“We will be going into Sunday’s game (against Swan Districts) selecting fully fit players and unfortunately Connor isn’t available for us to consider.
“We wish Connor the best with his recovery and hopefully see him around the club during the finals.”
