Premiership Cat Parfitt backs Demons to make strong finals chargeWednesday, August 27, 2025 - 3:13 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Star recruit Brandan Parfitt is relishing his leadership role as one of the experienced heads at Perth ahead of their long-awaited finals return this weekend.

The Geelong premiership player turned Demons signing has impressed in his debut season in the WAFL to help his new club qualify for finals for just the second time since 1997 and first since 2020.

Forming a dominant one-two midfield punch alongside fellow ex-Cat Charlie Constable, Parfitt has enjoyed sharing his wisdom with Perth’s younger brigade after learning from the likes of Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong.

Speaking at the WAFL finals launch at Optus Stadium on Tuesday, the 27-year-old – who played in two AFL grand finals among his 130 appearances at the top level – said the Demons were excited about the chance to feature in finals again.

Perth take on East Fremantle in a do-or-die Elimination Final at The Good Grocer Park on Sunday from 2.10pm.

Remarkably, it's the first time the Demons and Sharks have met in a final since 1977.

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“It’s a little bit of a change-up coming from the Cats where everyone is so old and experienced, coming over here you’re one of the older guys straight away. It puts you on that sort of stage where you have to help out all the young boys,” Parfitt said.

“All the young boys are really looking forward to what lies ahead and there’s not really too many nerves, I think everyone is more excited for the club and for the fans and the O.G (original) players that have been there and suffered through it all. We’re just looking forward to it, I think everyone is.”

Parfitt, coming off a stunning 40-disposal performance in the final home-and-away round against Subiaco last week, felt the Demons were capable of making a deep finals run.

“Yeah, definitely. The way we play, we play an exciting brand and a unique style, which can sort of run over the top of anyone. We obviously have some flaws but I think in finals anything can happen and if the sun’s out I think we have the run to beat anyone.”