David Parkin

David Parkin
OAM
Personal information
Full name David Alexander Parkin
Date of birth (1942-09-12) 12 September 1942 (age 82)
Original team(s) Melbourne High School
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 80 kg (176 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1961–1974 Hawthorn 211 (21)
1975 Subiaco 8 (2)
Total 219 (23)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
Victoria 5 (?)
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1977–1980 Hawthorn 94 (57–37–0)
1981–1985 Carlton 120 (79–40–1)
1986–1988 Fitzroy 69 (30–39–0)
1991–2000 Carlton 235 (140–94–1)
Total 518 (306–210–2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1974.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 2000.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

David Alexander Parkin (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).

However, Parkin's 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.

Pre-football career

Parkin attended Hawthorn West Primary School, the birthplace of his passion for Australian rules football.[1] He completed his secondary education at Melbourne High School; during his time there he was the school vice-captain and the captain of the football team.

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.[2][3] 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.[4] He represented Victoria 5 times at interstate football.[5][6][7]

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.[8][9]

Hawthorn Football Club senior coach (1977–1980)

Parkin replaced John Kennedy as Hawthorn Football Club senior coach after Kennedy stepped down.[10][11] Parkin was senior coach with Hawthorn from 1977 to 1980 and became the second person to coach Hawthorn to a premiership in 1978.[4][12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16][17] 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.[18] 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.[19][20]

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.[21] Parkin then coached Fitzroy from 1986 to 1988.[22] Fitzroy under Parkin made the preliminary final in his first season at the Lions as senior coach,[23] 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.[24][25] 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.[26] Parkin then returned to become the senior coach of Carlton for a second stint from 1991 until 2000.[27] 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.[28] He also took Carlton to Grand Finals in 1993 and 1999 which they lost to Essendon and North Melbourne, respectively.[29] At the end of the 2000 season Parkin retired as Carlton senior coach and handed the coaching reins to his assistant coach Wayne Brittain.[30]

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.[31][32] In 2003, he wrote a controversial article in the Herald-Sun labeling six Hawthorn players as Mummy's Boys because of their lightweight frames.[33] 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.

Statistics

Playing statistics

[34]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1961 Hawthorn 33 1 0 0 — — — — — 0.0 0.0 — — — — — 0
1962 Hawthorn 27 10 3 0 — — — — — 0.3 0.0 — — — — — 3
1963 Hawthorn 27 21 0 0 — — — — — 0.0 0.0 — — — — — 0
1964 Hawthorn 27 13 2 0 — — — — — 0.2 0.0 — — — — — 0
1965 Hawthorn 27 16 0 1 207 11 218 47 — 0.0 0.1 12.9 0.7 13.6 2.9 — 8
1966 Hawthorn 27 14 0 5 205 19 224 43 — 0.0 0.4 14.6 1.4 16.0 3.1 — 4
1967 Hawthorn 27 15 0 0 199 17 216 43 — 0.0 0.0 13.3 1.1 14.4 2.9 — 3
1968 Hawthorn 27 18 3 2 243 14 257 41 — 0.2 0.1 13.5 0.8 14.3 2.3 — 12
1969 Hawthorn 27 14 3 2 209 18 227 26 — 0.2 0.1 14.9 1.3 16.2 1.9 — 0
1970 Hawthorn 27 19 0 0 265 30 295 66 — 0.0 0.0 13.9 1.6 15.5 3.5 — 5
1971# Hawthorn 27 22 0 0 313 37 350 83 — 0.0 0.0 14.2 1.7 15.9 3.8 — 6
1972 Hawthorn 27 20 0 0 254 33 287 67 — 0.0 0.0 12.7 1.7 14.4 3.4 — 1
1973 Hawthorn 27 15 3 5 210 42 252 47 — 0.2 0.3 14.0 2.8 16.8 3.1 — 9
1974 Hawthorn 27 13 7 8 94 29 123 21 — 0.5 0.6 7.2 2.2 9.5 1.6 — 0
Career 211 21 23 2199 250 2449 484 — 0.1 0.1 13.2 1.5 14.7 2.9 — 51

Coaching statistics

[35]
Legend
 W  Wins  L  Losses  D  Draws  W%  Winning percentage  LP  Ladder position  LT  League teams
Season Team Games W L D W % LP LT
1977 Hawthorn 25 18 7 0 72.0% 2 12
1978# Hawthorn 25 19 6 0 76.0% 2 12
1979 Hawthorn 22 10 12 0 45.5% 7 12
1980 Hawthorn 22 10 12 0 45.5% 8 12
1981# Carlton 24 19 5 0 79.2% 1 12
1982# Carlton 26 19 6 1 75.0% 3 12
1983 Carlton 23 13 10 0 56.5% 5 12
1984 Carlton 24 13 11 0 54.2% 3 12
1985 Carlton 23 15 8 0 65.2% 4 12
1986 Fitzroy 25 15 10 0 60.0% 4 12
1987 Fitzroy 22 8 14 0 36.4% 11 14
1988 Fitzroy 22 7 15 0 31.8% 12 14
1991 Carlton 22 8 14 0 36.4% 11 15
1992 Carlton 22 14 8 0 63.6% 7 15
1993 Carlton 23 15 7 1 67.4% 2 15
1994 Carlton 24 15 9 0 62.5% 2 15
1995# Carlton 25 23 2 0 92.0% 1 16
1996 Carlton 24 15 9 0 62.5% 5 16
1997 Carlton 22 10 12 0 45.5% 11 16
1998 Carlton 22 9 13 0 40.9% 11 16
1999 Carlton 26 14 12 0 53.8% 6 16
2000 Carlton 25 17 8 0 68.0% 2 16
Career totals 518 306 210 2 59.27%

Honours and achievements

Playing

Team

Individual

Coaching

Team

Individual

Hall of Fame/Life membership

Post-coaching career

Parkin is currently a media commentator who has appeared on Talking Footy on the Seven Network and a commentator for ABC Radio. He was a panellist on Fox Footy's now defunct show, Fox League Teams.

He is a lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science at Deakin University, Melbourne campus. In honour of his significant contribution to Australian society in leadership, sport and education, Deakin University also established the annual David Parkin Oration for Sport and Social Change. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Australia.[36]

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery in March 2009.[37]

Recognition

He received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013.[38][39] In 2002 he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.[40] He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2010.[41]

References

  1. ^ "Back to the future". The Age. 17 May 2004. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  2. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. ^ "DAVID PARKIN". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b Carter, Ron (2 October 1978). "Parkin's Grand Finale". The Age.
  5. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  7. ^ "DAVID PARKIN". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  8. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  10. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  11. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  13. ^ "1980 - Year in Review". 19 November 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Parkin to Carlton, 30 years on". 4 January 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  15. ^ Slattery, G., "Parkin is Carlton's new coach", The Age, (Friday, 26 September 1980),p.24.
  16. ^ "From the Archives, 1982: Unrelenting Blues conquer the ultimate challenge". 18 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Carlton have a long history of sacking coaches in dramatic circumstances". 26 May 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Parkin sees both sides". 17 September 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  20. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  21. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  22. ^ "A coaches story". 10 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Revising the Doom and Gloom Historiography: Fitzroy Football Club's last golden era 1978-1986". 15 November 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Parkin sees both sides". 17 September 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  26. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  27. ^ "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL CLUBS" (PDF). Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Dr David Parkin OAM". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  29. ^ Reed, Ron (1 September 2012). "David and the 1993 Grand Final they lost to Essendon. Parkin led a player revolution". Herald Sun.
  30. ^ "Wayne Brittain". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  31. ^ "David Parkin". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Parkin calls it a day at Hawthorn". 30 October 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Parkin: Hawks are Mummy's boys". 19 May 2003. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  34. ^ "AFL Tables - Rodney Eade - Stats - Statistics". afltables.com.
  35. ^ "David Parkin's coaching profile". AFL Tables.
  36. ^ "Australia Day Ambassadors:David Parkin". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013.
  37. ^ Sheahan, Mike (23 March 2009). "David Parkin: My cancer fight".
  38. ^ "Parkin, David Alex: Australian Sports Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  39. ^ "Parkin, David, OAM". It's an Honour. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  40. ^ Connolly, Rohan (21 May 2002). "Five join Australian football's elite". The Age.
  41. ^ "David Parkin". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 September 2020.