It is going to be interesting to see what happens. I can't see the club offering him anything beyond next season - unless they negotiate a new 1 + 1 contract, if he meets X,Y,Z performance criteria in 2025. I still think he could play the sort of role Bolton played in his last couple of seasons very effectively - as that deep forward marking option that can occasionally role into the midfield. But there is zero way I think we can guarantee him he is going to be in that starting 23, and if someone else wants to offer him 2 or 3 years, more $ and a guaranteed starting position (or close to it), he'd be silly not to take it.
If he does go, I won't be sad because he has chosen that chance to extend his career - more I'll be sad because he won't play game 300 in Red and White
If we play 2 more this year, he will only be 7? games short I think. That will make me sad - but equally, like Hanners, like Mal - he has been a wonderful servant, and whatever he chooses I will wish him the very best of luck, and would love to see him in future involved in the club in the future, as he has a good footy brain on his shoulders (though he is one I suspect may not go into footy after he retires - he has a lot already going on outside the footy world).I'd love to think, in a nice nostalgic way, he decides to stay, fight for a place, and strive to get to 300 and beyond next year. But in the modern footy world, I fully get why he would explore other options, and I'm not convinced much of it is driven at all by a view of animosity or dislike/distrust, and more just driven by a combination of the cut throat nature of modern footy and the pursuit of success, and a want from Parker to get the most he can from his footy career.
