Welcome to Collingwood #45 Wil Parker

[BazBoy]

Noticed this on Google news
Wil Parker a top 10 pick in 2019 National draft -both us and Bulldogs were interested
He wasn’t drafted so continued his cricket career

At 22 he is contemplating another crack at AFL and again us and Doggies interested

He currently still has a BBL contract

[Charlie Oneeye]

Just googled
AFL news: Cricket star Wil Parker returns to football after ...

CODE Sports
https://www.codesports.com.au › Cricket
9 minutes ago — AFL news: Cricket star Wil Parker returns to football after signing with Collingwood Magpies as a Category B rookie. CODE Sports.

Harry is going to love it
__________________________________

180cm I believe

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2019/09/17/scouting-notes-nab-league-boys-preliminary-finals/

#19 Wil Parker

The young defender Parker was cool, calm and collected with his ball use a real feature coming out of defence. Often tasked with the kickouts, his ability to sum up his options and hit a target was superb. Not just a designated kicker and runner, he also showed he could take an intercept mark with a well read mark in the first quarter. Parker’s composure was sensational, often picking the right option instead of blazing away and his ball use from defence was a big reason for Eastern winning the game. The talented Parker finished the game with 23 disposals, six marks and eight rebounds.

[BazBoy]

Yes saw that Tom Cleary just reported it

[eddiesmith]

Would be a great pick up.

[LaurieHolden]

Really thought we would have gone after an off-spinner.

[gurugeoff]

[inxs88]

Thought a swashbuckling all-rounder may have been our modus operandi.

[Pep]

Fox Footy reporting Pies have won the race for Will Parker

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2024-preseason-supplemental-selection-period-recruits-analysis-who-missed-out-every-clubs-list-latest-news/news-story/7725dcb418d64bc2bde1e7640dec77b5

[WhyPhilWhy?]

My source says he's unlikely to play AFL this year as he builds fitness, but its a pretty sweet free hit I reckon.

Nosey?

[think better]

Looks like a really good get as a Rookie.
I remember reading that Hine values the Cat B rookies as his best achievements. Hopefully Will becomes his best of all of these.

[Take_a_Screamer]

The once-touted first-round pick who has found his way to Collingwood
"Bewick says if all went to plan, Parker might have been a first-round draft pick in 2020 had COVID not impacted football around Australia."

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/02/20/the-once-touted-first-round-pick-who-has-found-his-way-to-collingwood/

[3rd degree]

Parker's Pies. Is he related to the great Ted?

[Pies2016]

Just a reminder Will Parker made a fine debut for the Pies VFL team on the weekend. It was his first game for match points in a couple years and he fitted in seamlessly into the half back. Fraser mentioned how the fitness team worked with him to prepare him for his debut after only having joined the club in the new year.
There’s some serious up side with this kid if that’s what he turned out on debut. Still a long way to go fitness wise but he’s another one we should all keep an eye on.

[Charlie Oneeye]

Parker snippets by @Jen2310 on X,

https://twitter.com/Jen2310/status/1782261538398876090

Very good (surpassing my expectations) first up performance after years out of footy. As with most players, there's the upside and then there's the plateau, looking forward to seeing where the 'up' ends up.

[Boot]

I really like the look of Will Parker. Great pick-up by Collingwoods recruiting team. Having given Fremantle our 1st round draft pick for this year, Collingwood need to find talent outside of the draft and Parker looks a good start. Hopefully he will develop his fitness and body during the remainder of this year to have a cracking pre-season to emerge a real good prospect for 2025.
I'd love for an update on how Alex Condon's situation is looking too as he has the potential to be the replacement for Mason Cox who is not getting any younger and Condon may even prove to be that KPF we have been looking for since Travis Cloke left the club.