By: Joseph Arthur
AFTER a storied EFL career with both Scoresby and Vermont, Adam Parker is hanging up the boots and making the transition to coaching.
The 31-year-old went out on a high after winning last weekend’s Eastland Premier Division Grand Final with the Eagles, making it back-to-back flags to end his career.
However it wasn’t all premiership glory for Parker throughout his local footy career.
Parker began his 14-year senior career with Wantirna South in 2005, crossing to Scoresby in 2007 while also playing for VFL outfit Casey across ’07-’08 before making the move to Vermont in 2014.
But it was after losing four grand finals, including back-to-back losses with Scoresby in 2010 and 2011 at the hands of Noble Park and two in a row with Vermont in 2016 and 2017, that Parker questioned if the big dance would ever go his way.
“Losing that fourth (grand final), a few of us thought we’d never win one, so to be able to go back-to-back is unreal,” Parker said.
“Last year (2018 premiership) was a relief…this one (2019 premiership) was more of a celebration.
“Getting some reward for effort over the last two years is a fairy-tale ending.”
Parker (right) celebrates Vermont’s 2019 Premier Division grand final win.
Looking back on the losing grand finals, Parker said he has become less and less disappointed, acknowledging the strength of the opposition.
“Those Noble Park teams (2010-11) were really incredible sides,” Parker said.
“The disappointment at the time (was there) but when I look back six or seven years later, they (Noble Park) had a sensational list and that’s why they won two grand finals in a row.
“Obviously it’s so difficult to win one (premiership), so winning two in a row is an incredible way to go out – they’re really going to stand out in my career.”
Beyond his teams’ success, Parker gathered many notable individual achievements throughout his time in the EFL.
He represented the League twice as part of the 2015 and 2018 senior interleague squads and he won two senior club best and fairest awards, one at Scoresby in 2013 and one with Vermont in 2015.
Humble in his individual success, Parker said it was never about his own accolades and instead about doing what was best for the team.
He takes pride in what he has been able to accomplish but highlighted the greatness of his team-mates as a catalyst for his success.
“The individual accolades aren’t what you play for and everyone says that but they’re really not,” Parker said.
“In reality, I’ve been really lucky to play with some elite players.
“I’m happier with my leadership and getting the best out of myself.
“The players that I’ve played with know I’m not a super athlete, not a great runner, but just got the best out of myself from an ability point of view.
“I held myself accountable pretty well and that leadership sort of drives others so I’m pretty proud of those things because they’re not really naturally given to you.”
Parker said he decided to retire over a month ago and is satisfied with his decision, outlining timing as a big factor in making the call.
“Definitely in the last month I’ve been happy with my decision,” Parker said.
“The timing is pretty much perfect from my point of view.
“I’ve taken on the Upwey-Tecoma coaching gig, and as part of my development as a coach, I want to do it properly and I can’t see myself playing and coaching and doing the coaching as best as possible.”
With respect to his role as a leader, Parker will hope to translate his on-field leadership experience into his senior coaching role with Upwey-Tecoma in 2020.
Parker said both his experience as a player and as a school teacher will go a long way to helping his success as a coach.
“I had to work my butt off to get where I got to,” Parker said.
“I’m a school teacher so I’ve always enjoyed helping people and making people get better and seeing people achieve things.
“So I’m hoping I just get some of that satisfaction out of coaching as well.”
