Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton has high hopes for Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt, believing he will become one of the stars of the competition.
Parfitt’s name has been mentioned as a possible part of a trade for GWS forward Jeremy Cameron, but his manager snuffed out that talk, telling The Age it will not happen.
Brereton believes the 22-year-old has the potential to break out in the next few years.
“He’s a good player, Parfitt. When you’re picking players a little bit out from their peak, in two years time I reckon he’s an absolute A-grader,” Brereton told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“An absolute A-grade midfielder. He strikes me as a little bit pacier version of someone like a Stephen Coniglio in 2019.”
Parfitt played 17 games for the Cats in 2020, averaging 16 disposals and three clearances per game.
The Cats and Giants will likely end up working out a trade for Cameron, assuming GWS matches the free agency bid.
Despite the 2019 Coleman Medallist’s down 2020 season, Brereton believes his best is still in front of him.
“Last year he won the goal kicking and I think in 2018 he turned a bit of a corner where he attacked the pack in the air and this year that’s almost been taken away from him by Harry Himmelberg, who has attacked the incoming ball. He’s the pack exploder now,” he said.
“Jeremy sort of looks for the one on ones. I think if he goes back to attacking the footy and absolutely throwing everything out the window, as soon as you start thinking as a forward ‘I’m going to play clever’ you’re kind of giving up your strength, which is your competitiveness and willingness to work harder than your opponent.
“I genuinely believe he can get back to what he was in 2019 no problem.
“It’s some pair with Tom Hawkins, isn’t it.”
TRADE RADIO RETURNS MONDAY 7AM ON AFL.COM.AU AND THE AFL APP