This weekend the Club acknowledges a magnificent milestone achieved by one of the Demon’s longest serving players, Sebastian (‘Sebby’) Parker. He is the sixth player to reach this milestone.
Sebastian will turn 44 later this year and is in his 27th season with the Demons.
At age 15, Sebastian joined Penno in 1997 and played 3 seasons with the Under 18 team. He was captain and twice Best & Fairest for the colts. He made his first grade debut in 1999 and became a regular member of the Premier Division side from 2002 until 2016 before stepping down to Reserve Grade side and then, more recently, is now playing a mix of Third grade and Masters.
At this point in 1999, Sebastain was starting to forge a formidable record as a young footballer and, as the saying goes, “the sky was the limit” insofar as his potential beckoned. Then, out of the blue, tragedy struck.
After attending teammate, Lachlan Howarth’s, 18th birthday celebration in Thornleigh, Sebastian was struck by a motor vehicle, mangling the elbow of his right arm and delivering him a bad knock to his head.
The accident and injury could conceivably have been the end of Sebastians footy career, one that had shown so much promise, but thankfully he was eventually to make a full recovery. Two years of intensive rehabilitation meant that he missed two whole seasons of footy.
He was at last able to resume his playing career in 2002, starting in the Reserves, then promoted to first grade side where he has played most of his footy for the club. Whilst it was a long time coming, he was awarded the Ken MacRae Shield for the Best First Year Local Player in 2002, six years after joining the club.
Sebastian has been a member and captain of three premiership sides, winning the Under 18 Grand Final in 1997 and two Premier Division Grand Finals in 2006 and 2008. He was captain/co-captain of the 2006 and 2008 Premier Division Premiership sides
Sebastian's footy career has been somewhat plagued by injury and in 2015 a broken wrist meant he missed out playing in the miraculous Grand Final victory over East Coast Eagles in 2015.
Sebastian is a right foot kick and has played most of his football in jumper No 2. For most of his senior career he’s found his best position in the backs, where his dour defensive skills come to the fore.
Undoubtedly, there are many team-mates over a long period of time who have marvelled at Sebastian ability, professionalism and passion for football. He is a popular player at the Club, if not considered a little quirky, and affectionately known simply as ‘Sebby’ or just ‘Seb’. On field he is immediately recognisable, not just for his footy prowess, but for the blue elbow guard which he has worn as a badge of honour since returning to the game he loves in 2002. (Update, in recent times Seb has now dispensed with the elbow guard).
Turning his hand to coaching, Sebastian was player/coach of the third-grade side from 2022-25.
On the day of his 300th game, we pay tribute to a great career and a role-model with few peers, one that has triumphed over tragedy, and serves as an exemplar of what can be achieved through perseverance, passion and the will to succeed. Sebastian, who has been a great servant of this great Club over a long period, deserves success on this important occasion. So, here’s wishing Sebastian and his team all the best.
Congratulations Sebastian on a stellar football career and on reaching this fantastic milestone. Go Penno!
