DON'T FORGET - wear your colours!
We have David Parkin joining us next week where he will discuss all issues footy. Here is his history in the game
David Alexander Parkin, OAM (born 12 September 1942) is a former Australian
rules footballer and coach who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian
Football League (VFL) and for the Subiaco Football Club in the Western Australian
National Football League (WANFL).
rules footballer and coach who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian
Football League (VFL) and for the Subiaco Football Club in the Western Australian
National Football League (WANFL).
His stature in the history of Australian rules football is based mainly on
his achievements as a coach. Building on his experience as a player and educator,
Parkin won four premierships (one at Hawthorn, three at Carlton) and is considered
one of the most influential coaches of the modern era.
Playing career
Hawthorn
Parkin was a tough back-pocket player who played 211 games for the Hawthorn
Football Club (and kicked 21 goals) in a career spanning from 1961 to 1974. He
won the Best and Fairest award for Hawthorn in 1965, and was captain of the club
from 1969 to 1973, including Hawthorn's 1971 premiership winning side. He
represented Victoria 5 times at interstate football.
Football Club (and kicked 21 goals) in a career spanning from 1961 to 1974. He
won the Best and Fairest award for Hawthorn in 1965, and was captain of the club
from 1969 to 1973, including Hawthorn's 1971 premiership winning side. He
represented Victoria 5 times at interstate football.
Coaching career
Parkin went to Western Australia and captain-coached Subiaco in 1975. He was
back at Hawthorn as Assistant coach under senior coach John Kennedy in 1976.
Kennedy retired at the end of 1976 and Parkin was promoted to senior coach.
Hawthorn Football Club senior coach (1977–1980)
back at Hawthorn as Assistant coach under senior coach John Kennedy in 1976.
Kennedy retired at the end of 1976 and Parkin was promoted to senior coach.
Hawthorn Football Club senior coach (1977–1980)
Parkin replaced John Kennedy as Hawthorn Football Club senior coach after
Kennedy stepped down. Parkin was senior coach with Hawthorn from 1977 to
1980 and became the second person to coach Hawthorn to a premiership in
1978. However, The Hawks under Parkin in the 1980 season had a disappointing
season, where they finished in eight place and therefore missed out of the
finals. After finding out that Hawthorn were looking around at other possible
coaches to replace him, Parkin penned his letter of resignation as Hawthorn Football
Club senior coach at the end of the 1980 season and hand delivered it
into Glenferrie Oval. Parkin was then replaced by Allan Jeans as Hawthorn Football
Club senior coach.
Carlton Football Club senior coach (1981–1985)
Parkin then replaced Peter Jones as senior coach of Carlton Football Club, at the
end of the 1980 season and coached Carlton in his first stint from 1981 to 1985
and winning back to back premierships. Firstly in 1981, when Parkin guided Carlton
to a premiership victory against Collingwood by a margin of 20 points, in Parkin's first
year as senior coach of Carlton and again in 1982, when Parkin guided Carlton to
another premiership victory for the second straight consecutive year in a row, this
time against Richmond by a margin of 18 points. However, Carlton under Parkin
in the 1985 season fell short of expectations and had a disappointing season, where
Carlton were eliminated by North Melbourne in the elimination final. Parkin was
sacked as Carlton Football Club senior coach at the end of the 1985 season and
was replaced by Robert Walls in a jointly announced agreement with Fitzroy Football
Club to swap senior coaches for 1986.
Fitzroy Football Club senior coach (1986–1988)
Parkin then replaced Robert Walls as senior coach of Fitzroy in a jointly announced
agreement with Carlton Football Club to swap senior coaches. Parkin then coached
Fitzroy from 1986 to 1988. Fitzroy under Parkin made the preliminary final in his
first season at the Lions as senior coach, but failed to reach the finals in the
following two years. Parkin was sacked by Fitzroy as senior coach at the end of the
1988 season. Parkin was then replaced by Rod Austin as Fitzroy Football Club
senior coach.
Parkin then replaced Peter Jones as senior coach of Carlton Football Club, at the
end of the 1980 season and coached Carlton in his first stint from 1981 to 1985
and winning back to back premierships. Firstly in 1981, when Parkin guided Carlton
to a premiership victory against Collingwood by a margin of 20 points, in Parkin's first
year as senior coach of Carlton and again in 1982, when Parkin guided Carlton to
another premiership victory for the second straight consecutive year in a row, this
time against Richmond by a margin of 18 points. However, Carlton under Parkin
in the 1985 season fell short of expectations and had a disappointing season, where
Carlton were eliminated by North Melbourne in the elimination final. Parkin was
sacked as Carlton Football Club senior coach at the end of the 1985 season and
was replaced by Robert Walls in a jointly announced agreement with Fitzroy Football
Club to swap senior coaches for 1986.
Fitzroy Football Club senior coach (1986–1988)
Parkin then replaced Robert Walls as senior coach of Fitzroy in a jointly announced
agreement with Carlton Football Club to swap senior coaches. Parkin then coached
Fitzroy from 1986 to 1988. Fitzroy under Parkin made the preliminary final in his
first season at the Lions as senior coach, but failed to reach the finals in the
following two years. Parkin was sacked by Fitzroy as senior coach at the end of the
1988 season. Parkin was then replaced by Rod Austin as Fitzroy Football Club
senior coach.
Carlton Football Club senior coach (1991–2000)
After Alex Jesaulenko stepped down as Carlton Football Club senior coach at the
end of the 1990 season, Carlton President John Elliott offered Parkin the
job. Parkin then returned to become the senior coach of Carlton for a second stint
from 1991 until 2000. He was named Carlton's Coach of the Century, and is
regarded by Carlton supporters as the club's greatest ever coach. During this second
stint, Parkin guided Carlton to win the 1995 premiership against Geelong by a
margin of 61 points. He also took Carlton to Grand Finals in 1993 and 1999 which
they lost to Essendon and North Melbourne, respectively. At the end of the 2000
season Parkin retired as Carlton senior coach and handed the coaching reins to his
assistant coach Wayne Brittain.
end of the 1990 season, Carlton President John Elliott offered Parkin the
job. Parkin then returned to become the senior coach of Carlton for a second stint
from 1991 until 2000. He was named Carlton's Coach of the Century, and is
regarded by Carlton supporters as the club's greatest ever coach. During this second
stint, Parkin guided Carlton to win the 1995 premiership against Geelong by a
margin of 61 points. He also took Carlton to Grand Finals in 1993 and 1999 which
they lost to Essendon and North Melbourne, respectively. At the end of the 2000
season Parkin retired as Carlton senior coach and handed the coaching reins to his
assistant coach Wayne Brittain.
Hawthorn Football Club director of coaching (2001–2002)
Parkin then returned to Hawthorn in 2001 as director of coaching under senior
coach Peter Schwab, where he continued until 30 October 2002, when he left the
club after the end of the 2002 season. In 2003, he wrote a controversial article in
the Herald-Sun labeling six Hawthorn players as Mummy's Boys because of their
lightweight frames. Parkin believed players should be bigger, heavier and stronger.
Three of those he listed, namely Michael Osborne, Rick Ladson and Chance
Bateman went on to play in Hawthorn's 2008 Premiership.