GSFL 2023: David Parker reaches 200 league games at same time younger brother Brayden gets to his 150th

It will be a special moment for brothers David and Brayden Parker on Sunday as they celebrate club milestones together. The long-standing Royals players will take to the field in a bid to help their side reach a league preliminary final but the game will carry extra significance for the pair. David will play his 200th league game for the club while Brayden reaches his 150th league game and earns life membership. The pair, both premiership players, grew up kicking the ball together in the backyard and now will share the special occasion together at the club they love. David said the pain of finals defeats in the past two years have driven his motivation to keep playing. “It’s one of those things just never really tried to get to 200 or anything like that,” he said. “I think when we lost in 2021 I couldn’t go out like that and then same as last year couldn’t go out like that either so it’s just been one of those things I can’t go out like that. “Got to 200 probably won’t be too many more I wouldn’t have thought but yeah just nice to get there. “I’ll probably look back on it with a bit more fondness than at the moment, I’m sort of more focused on the weekend.” The 2014 Kleemann medallist, David has won four league premierships with the Lions and claimed four club fairest and best honours in a decorated career. He said the league has changed dramatically since his younger days. “It’s much more of a development league, I think, as far as bringing young guys through and setting them up for higher levels,” the 31-year-old said. “I’ve been lucky really just as far as not having any like crazy bad injuries or anything like that you know I’ve missed half a season here and there but lucky that that’s all I’ve had to deal with. “Really excited for Brayden. . . been there for a long time and good to see him get that life membership that he probably really wanted.” Brayden will become a life member of the club after Sunday’s game and said getting to 150 hadn’t been easy. “I did my knee back in 2015 and thought it was probably going to be a bit out of reach,” the 29-year-old said. “Been playing some OK footy last few years so I ended up getting there, massive honour to play 150 games for Royals so super proud. “Been a long road but I’m pretty happy to get here. “It’s a huge honour to play it with Dave. “If Dave wasn’t playing footy I don’t know if I would be so he’s a pretty big motivator for the reason I’m still kicking the footy around.” Brayden, now the Lions league captain, debuted in 2010 and won a reserves flag with the club before going on to win league premiership medallions in 2019 and 2020.