Former Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt has strong WAFL debut, eyes AFL return

Jackson Clark Published April 7, 2025 at 6.05pm (AWST)

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Brandan Parfitt had an impressive first outing for WAFL club Perth Demons on the weekend. (Image: AFL)

Former Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt made a strong debut with his new club Perth in the opening round of the West Australian Football League last weekend.

Parfitt posted 29 disposals and laid five tackles in the Demons' 13-point loss to South Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night.

The tough midfielder has reunited with some former Cats teammates, including Sam Simpson, Blake Schlensog and the Demons' co-captain Charlie Constable.

Still just 26 years old, Parfitt is hoping that a strong season at State League level will help to propel him back into the AFL.

"Yeah, I'd love to," Parfitt said when posed the question on SEN WA's The Run Home.

"I've kept myself pretty fit and strong to have a crack at it … we'll see what happens throughout the year.

"I'm still 26 and I'd like to be fit enough and strong enough (so) if the opportunity arose I'd be ready.

"At the same time, I just want to enjoy football and see where the season takes me."

Parfitt was delisted by Geelong at the end of the 2024 season after 130 games across eight years at the club.

Brandan Parfitt was a member of Geelong's premiership triumph in 2022. (Image: Dylan Burns/AFL)

In the off-season, the Larrakia and Warramungu man returned to his junior club Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Football League, averaging 27 disposals across eight games.

After being delisted, the 2022 AFL premiership player said that he carefully considered his State League options and decided on playing for Perth due to his strong connections at the club.

"To be honest I always loved Perth and I thought why not try my luck in the WAFL and see what happens," Parfitt said.

"I spent a bit of time back in Darwin and this opportunity popped up.

"I was able to come over here and do a bit of work for a foundation, doing some youth mentoring stuff.

"I'll get to play with a few of my mates that I played at the Cats with at the Perth Demons as well."

Perth's General Manager Brad Dodd also had a previous relationship with Parfitt having been one of his development coaches when he was in Adelaide.

The Demons — who finished equal-bottom in 2024 — were well in the contest on Saturday, holding the lead at every break before eventually being overrun.

Ex-St Kilda and Richmond utility Matthew Parker was one of South Fremantle's best performers with 31 disposals and nine tackles, while former West Coast player Isiah Winder also had a strong game with 26 touches.