Tara Murray
Williamstown defender Luke Parks was a nervous onlooker as the Williamstown best and fairest count was underway.
The first year Seagull led the count before going down injured in the wildcard game and missing the club’s two finals.
He was able to do enough to hold on, to claim his first Gerry Callahan Medal ahead of Corey Ellison.
Brodie McLaughlin, Jack Brown and Joel Fitzgerald finished in equal third.
Parks said it was a massive honour to claim the medal.
“It was a good night and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” he said on Monday. “It’s a good honour.
“I didn’t think too much about it. I had played well and had so much fun playing that it kept me going and that was a byproduct of it.
“I got injured fairly late there. While I was watching the count I thought I was going to get rolled over.
“So many players had good games late in the year, but I somehow held on to it.”
Parks made the move to the Seagulls in the off season from Carlton’s VFL program.
He said the opportunity to play at a stand alone club had really attracted him to the club and it allowed him to thrive.
“Justin [Plapp] understood how I played my footy and was keen to allow me to play to my attributes,” he said.
“I think being able to play in such a great team and having connected so well with the coaches and the team helped me a lot.”
Parks said the decision to come to Williamstown started after a conversation with director of coaching Jeff Andrews.
He also spoke to a couple of past players.
“They spoke about the culture and the respect you get at the club,” he said. “I was keen for a change and they were a standalone club with a great track record and I was excited to get to Willy.”
The Seagulls were knocked out in the semi finals for a second straight year by the Brisbane Lions.
Parks didn’t play that game but the club flew him up to be part of the atmosphere.
He said the Lions were able to play their game for longer in the end.
Parks said the group was keen to further develop next year.
“Talking to a few older players it was one of the more progressive years we’ve had,” he said.
“We’ll go into next year thinking we’re in the window of opportunity. We’re headed in the right direction.
“Retention is the key and looking like a fair few of the core and coming back including the leaders which helps.”
