Parkin, Carlton’s Team of the 20th Century Coach, has the call on the Medal winner, based on his display of the following qualities - leadership, presence, team values, performance in a team role and influence on the outcome of the game.
An Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2002, Parkin is a revered figure at both clubs of which he is a Life Member.
At Hawthorn, he forged an outstanding reputation as a scrupulously fair and courageous back pocket player in 211 senior appearances from 1961 to ’74, which took in the ’71 premiership as captain.
After coaching the Hawks to the 1978 Grand Final victory, Parkin pursued his career across town, commandeering the Blues to the back-to-back premierships of 1981/’82 and, later, the ’95 premiership, in a coaching tenure that spanned a club record 355 matches.
