A CHANGE in Cassidy Parish’s work situation will see the Grovedale midfielder play his football in Victoria’s north-west in 2021.
The 2017 Geelong Falcons premiership player has lodged a clearance to Wimmera League club Southern Mallee Giants.
“Cass, with COVID, ended up with a bit of work up that way, up Hopetoun way shearing, working on farms and that sort of stuff up there,” Tigers coach Daniel Fraser told K rock Football’s Coaches Catch-up.
“There was a bit of a link with a few of the guys he was working with. He’s spending most of the week up there, (so) it made sense for him to play footy up there.
“We’re hopeful of getting him back in the future, but with his work situation with COVID, employment wise, he’s ended up doing most of his week up there.”
Parish played 30 games in his first two senior GFL seasons and was seen as a crucial part of Grovedale’s rebuild under Fraser after dropping away following a preliminary final appearance in 2016.
“He’s a natural accumulator of the ball; he’s a 30 touch player most weeks, I would have thought,” Fraser said.
“He’s 6’3″ (190cms) – to have a 6’3” midfielder in the competition’s gold – so he’s definitely a loss.
“But, he’s gone with our best wishes. I’ve had a couple of good chats with Cassidy and wished him all the best.
“I think with his talent, playing in the Wimmera league, I think he’s playing below his level. So, hopefully, he’s back playing sooner rather than later.”
Parish joins Keelin and Liam Beston (Mooroopna) and Dave McNeel (Geelong Amateur) among the departures from Burdoo Reserve.
As well as the previously announced return of Ryan Abbott and the addition of Brayden Mitchell, Grovedale has welcomed Ballarat League trio Mitch Tuddenham (East Point) and Redan pair Sam Kyatt and Liam Phillips.
“Mitch comes to us as an East Point premiership player, so we’re really happy to get him,” Fraser said.
“He’s an ex-St Patrick’s College school captain, so not only have we got a good footballer, we’ve got a good citizen there as well.
“Sam’s an inside-mid. He’s had a little bit of injury problems (for) the last couple of years. Very highly-rated in junior ranks in the Ballarat area.
“And Liam’s a best-and-fairest winner with senior experience at Redan.”
MEANWHILE, St Mary’s young gun Paddy Dowling will continue his football journey in the SANFL.
Dowling, who has 12 VFL games with Geelong to his name, is set to join Glenelg.
And Lara has confirmed Werribee-listed ruckman Darcy Bennett will have a VAFA team as his interchange club for the 2021 season.
Bennett has lodged a clearance from the Cats to Fitzroy.
Twitter: @tom_king79
