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THE DEPTH and breadth of David Parkin’s influence in the great Australian game, let alone at Hawthorn and Carlton, is incalculable – which is why those aligned with both clubs saw fit to come together in celebration of a wonderful football life truly well-lived.

Amongst the hundreds gathering in tribute to Parkin at ZINC Federation Square included many former Hawthorn and Carlton greats whose lives were not untouched by the former player and coach. Rodney Eade, a member of Hawthorn’s 1976 and ‘78 premiership teams coached by the late John Kennedy sen. and Parkin respectively, noted: “Whereas Kennedy said ‘Don’t think, do’, with Parkin it was ‘Don’t do, think’.”

Paying homage to Parkin were Hawthorn’s champion full-forward Peter Hudson (“to me, he’s No.27, to him I’m No.26”); Don Scott who followed captain Parkin down the race and into Grand Final glory in 1971 (“we’re still friends and I don’t have many left”); and Michael Tuck who in 1978 under Parkin’s watch savoured the second of his seven premierships.

Following suit were Carlton’s Jim Buckley and Val Perovic who were there for the Parkin-coached back-to-back premierships of 1981 and ’82, and former President Stephen Kernahan with whom coach Parkin raised the silverware following the Blues’ record-breaking Grand Final victory of 1995.

Buckley touched on Parkin’s extensive ‘In Retrospect’ match-day critiques which were distributed to all players, but didn’t seem to serve their purpose in his case.

To quote Buckley: “a lot of the paperwork ended up all over Royal Parade, which didn’t matter because ‘Sellers’ (Mark Maclure) was working for the local council at the time and he picked it up”.

“But David changed the face of football at Carlton,” said Buckley. “He was professional and he was thorough.”

Perovic acknowledged that while his former coach set out to change the solid Carlton social culture, “he never had any hope”.

“But we always had our eyes on the prize and in truth we had the utmost respect for David,” Perovic said.

“We all tried our best for David because we respected him so much.”

Kernahan too remembered Parkin advising him of the Carlton players’ capacity to party hard prior to his much-heralded arrival from Glenelg – which actually had the opposite effect.

As Kernahan said: “‘Parko’ warned me that ‘these blokes drink a bit, don’t let that worry you’ … and I thought this mob might just suit me’.”

Parkin’s son Anthony offered a fascinating family insight, declaring that his father’s association with the game had exposed the clan to all manner of humanity, each bound by a genuine love of football.

“Dad taught us about work ethic and future education, and he taught us about people,” Anthony said.

“Effectively Mum raised my sister and I, and when we were at the footy, depending on whether our team won or lost determined whether we went home with Mum or Dad.”

A measure of Parkin’s extraordinary reach was reflected in the diversity of characters in the room, from current and former players and officials through to fellow staffers – all of whom Parkin has afforded a genuine interest in and empathy for in a ruthless results-driven industry.

Amongst those representing Hawthorn was former Victorian Premier and club President Jeff Kennett and Premiership players Ian Bremner, Alle De Wolde, Russell Greene, Bob Keddie, John Kennedy jr., Peter Knights, Peter Murnane, Ian Paton and Peter Russo.

Those representing Carlton included Premiership players Rod Austin, Peter Bosustow, Des English, Adrian Gallagher, Ken Hunter, Wayne Johnston, Peter Jones, Trevor Keogh, Mark Maclure, Alex Marcou, Phil Maylin, Peter McConville, David McKay and Geoff Southby.

Former Carlton players Matthew Allan, Anthony Franchina, Aaron Hamill, Trent Hotton, Ben Nelson, Mark Porter, Ian Prendergast and Lance Whitnall also turned out in support.

Current Hawthorn President Andrew Gowers was there, as was Carlton Vice-President Patty Kinnersly, CEO Brian Cook and Senior Coach Michael Voss, together with Director of Football Brad Lloyd and assistant coaches Tim Clarke, Hamill, Ash Hansen and Luke Power.

Parkin’s storied career at Hawthorn and Carlton – together with his coaching tenures at Subiaco and Fitzroy – span five consecutive decades. Include his subsequent duties as coaching director, media commentator and Australian Football Hall of Fame selector, and the ‘Parko’ factor extends to seven – notwithstanding his extraordinary contributions in teaching and academia.

His football CV runs off the page of course, but includes in part:

– 211 senior appearances for Hawthorn between 1961 and ’74;
– a Hawthorn Best & Fairest award in 1965;
– a premiership as Hawthorn captain in 1971;
– five-time Victorian representation;
– the premierships as coach in 1978 at Hawthorn and 1981, ’82 and ’95 at Carlton;
– coach of the All-Australian team in 1995;
– coach of the Carlton Team of the 20th Century, named in 2000;
– Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame induction in 2011;
– Hawthorn Football Club legend status in 2013;
– Australian Football Hall of Fame induction in 2002; and
– Sport Australia Hall of Fame induction in 2010.

Sporting a half blue and white, half brown and gold jacket specifically tailored for the occasion, Parkin delivered a typically impressive oration to close the tribute, the proceeds of which are to be divided between each club’s past player associations in support of player welfare.

“I’m pretty emotional about the whole thing. I couldn’t believe the two clubs would do something in my honour,” he told the captive audience.

“I’ve come across so many people today whom I’ve met, worked alongside and coached … it’s been a very moving experience for an octogenarian with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana skin.

“Both these clubs have been a massive part of my life. How fortunate I have been to live the life I’ve lived …”

With the notable exceptions of Barassi, Malthouse, Matthews, McHale and Sheedy, few have given the game more as a player, coach and mentor than David Alexander Parkin OAM.