AFL clubs circle young Victorian leg-spinner Wil Parker as he weighs up return to football

Parker, 21, has played four first-class matches for the Vics since making an exciting debut as a 17-year-old in 2019-20.

But his last Shield appearance was in November 2021 and he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Parker did not play Victorian Premier Cricket for Richmond last Saturday and was not selected in the Victorian Second XI team that began a four-day match against Queensland at Casey Fields in Cranbourne today.

The state selectors opted for young Melbourne offie Harkirat Bajwa, who was part of Australia’s Under 19 World Cup success in South Africa this month.

In his previous club outing, Parker collected 3-80 off 21 overs in a run-filled encounter against Melbourne at the Albert.

Parker did play for the Vic Second XI against Tasmania last November, taking 2-120 off 20 overs in Tassie’s second innings.

CODE Sports understands Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs have expressed interest in recruiting Parker as a Category B rookie.

Twelve months ago, the Dogs brought in another Premier cricketer, Essendon’s James O’Donnell, as a Category B and he had a stunning rise to play 12 AFL games.

The Dogs have since given him a two-year contract.

Parker, the son of former prominent Victorian Premier cricketer Cameron, was touted as a first-round draft hope after his performances for Eastern Ranges in 2019.

A defender, he had 27 possessions in the grand final against Oakleigh Chargers and averaged 18 disposals in 16 matches.

Parker was splitting his time between football and cricket when he was called up to debut for Victoria against NSW at the SCG in February, 2020.

He performed well, taking 3-54 off 25 overs and then 1-35 off 13.

A few months later, he signed a contract with the Vics.

Parker’s uncle, Geoff Parker, is Port Adelaide’s recruiting manager.