PARKES, Gary

Gary Parkes was a dashing left-footed wingman. He had played with Pascoe Vale until 1967 spent two years in amateur running before joining Essendon. While a student at Oak Park High School and playing for Pascoe Vale Juniors, he was selected in the 1965 Victorian Schoolboys' team.

He was a strong mark and a long and accurate kick. He made his debut in an away loss to Geelong mid-season but didn't play another senior game until Round 6 the following year. He won the Reserves Valuable Services in 1971 and the Reserves Most Consistent Player in 1972.

He gradually put some games together in 1972 and 1973 and his best seasons were 1975 and 1976 where he only missed one game over two years. He was Essendon's equal third Best and Fairest player in 1976, a year in which he was one of only three players to play in all 22 rounds.

Parkes then had a pay dispute with Essendon and stood out of football in 1977. He finally won a clearance to Richmond but was troubled by injuries and only played seven senior games in 1978 and 1979. He played a total of 26 Reserves games before he retired at the end of 1980.

He combined his football with a successful professional athletics career. He ran third in the 1969 Victorian Pentathlon event, won the Wangaratta Gift in 1978 and was a semi-finalist in the Stawell Gift.

After leaving Richmond he played with Werribee from 1981 to 1984 where he won the best and fairest award in 1983. He represented the VFA in 1981.