Former AFL midfielder Brandan Parfitt is set to make his first appearance for Wanderers when the Eagles face Banks on Saturday in Round 4 of the Northern Territory Football League on Saturday.
The 28-year-old joined Wanderers earlier this month in one of the competition's biggest off-season recruiting moves in decades, ending his time with junior club Nightcliff.
Parfitt, who played 130 AFL games for Geelong and was a member of the Cats' 2022 premiership team, will provide a significant boost to Wanderers' midfield.
His debut comes at an important time for the Muk Muks, who have suffered consecutive heavy defeats to St Marys and Nightcliff after opening their season with a victory over the Darwin Buffaloes.
Parfitt was instrumental in the Tigers' premiership triumph last season, collecting 27 disposals in the grand final against St Marys to unanimously claim the Chaney Medal as the best player on the ground.
The tough on-baller was convinced to make the move to Wanderers by former Geelong teammate Steven Motlop, who is co-coaching the Eagles alongside his cousin Aaron.
Speaking to SEN Top End, Parfitt admitted he had initially planned to remain at Nightcliff.
"If you asked me a month ago, I was definitely going to stay at Nightcliff, but things moved pretty quickly in the end," he said.
"I went to a wedding and sat next to Steven Motlop - he was in my ear most of the night.
"We obviously got chatting and he came to me with a good offer and a good opportunity.
"Probably a week later I told 'Mots' that I'd come across.
"He's been a big influence on me since I was a young kid."
Parfitt said the decision to leave Nightcliff was particularly difficult given his longstanding relationship with the club.
"It was probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make," he said.
"Nightcliff has been my local football club since I was 11 years old ... I've met so many great people there."
The talented midfielder said he had spoken with family members before making the move and remained grateful for his time at the Tigers.
"I've chatted to the close family members and everyone is kind of understanding," he said.
"I guess at the end of the day it's just a game of football.
"I still have a lot of love for the Nightcliff Football Club, I've got some cousins and an uncle still playing.
"I'm not sure how I'll go playing against them, if they're going to have a crack and get into me and what not, but we're all family and love each other at the end of the day."
Wanderers entered the 2026/27 season with plenty of optimism following the appointment of Motlop and the arrival of several experienced recruits.
Among those to join the Eagles were former AFL players Nathan Vardy and Dylan Williams, while the club also had a number of talented local footballers return.
WAFL star and former AFL-listed player Blake Schlensog, as well as Marlon Motlop and Ovens and Murray Football League star Jaxon East have all been named to play this weekend.
Wanderers will be looking to return to the winners' list against competition newcomers Banks, who remain winless after their opening three matches.
