To his Manly team-mates, Brad Parker is one of the unsung heroes in the side.
The player who puts in every week, delivering with little fanfare.
No headlines or praise, just hard work that earns respect.
A proud Manly junior, the fair skin, red headed centre enjoyed another fine season in 2021 for the club he grew up supporting as a young boy on the Northern Beaches.
The 24-year-old has scored 23 tries in 88 games for Manly since making his debut against the Warriors in Perth in July, 2016.
He has copped some knocks too, along the way, but his passion for the maroon and white jersey is undeniable as he closes in on 100 games.
Sea Eagles Captain Daly Cherry-Evans calls Parker, ‘Mr Consistency’.
“Brad is just really good all of the time. Every week, you know what you are going to get,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“I genuinely believe that consistency is one of the hardest things to do as a first grader, and Brad Parker plays consistently well for us.
“His team-mates don’t under appreciate him but I don’t think he gets the appreciation on a bigger level.”
Hooker Lachlan Croker said ‘Big Red’ was one of a kind.
“Brad obviously had a tough start to his career with the footy the club was playing at the time,’’ Croker said.
“The last couple of years, there has been a lot more respect associated with his name and the way he plays.
He is one of the most reliable blokes that you will find in your team
Lachlan Croker on Brad Parker
“If you asked anyone in our team what they thought of ‘Parks’, you would hear the same thing…that he would do anything for you."
Centre Morgan Harper said he discovered many things about Parker.
“I’ve learnt that he goes through a lot of sunblock during the pre-season. He has got a lot of zinc in his locker,’’ Harper joked.
“Seriously, I’ve learnt plenty from Brad. He works very hard. I think he is a very under-rated centre.
“He tackles well, he does the little things very, very well like the tough carries out of yardage and set starts.
“He is a really good bloke and he is pretty funny too, I will give him that."
Vice-captain and lock Jake Trbojevic said Parker is as honest as they come.
“Brad is a great defensive centre,’’ Trbojevic said.
“Every game, he just gives his all. He leaves nothing in the tank, and as a team-mate, you can’t help but respect that.”
Prolific points scoring winger Reuben Garrick said he was very grateful to play outside Parker.
“He is just so solid in defence and you know exactly what you are going to get out of him,’’ Garrick said.
“Brad definitely compliments my game. We are working together really well in defence and we have a great understanding on that left edge now.
“His toughness is ridiculous. The lines he hits running off Kieran Foran, no one wants to get in front of him because of how hard he runs and the good yards he makes.
“If Brad has an injury, you wouldn’t know it because he is still out there performing. He is one of those players you always want to play with.”
As for the man himself, Parker remains humble when it comes to talking about his role.
“To not only play rugby league for a job, but to play for this great club is pretty massive for me,’’ Parker said.
“To be honest, I didn’t even think I was going to make one NRL game, yet alone 100.
“It’s pretty weird that I will be reaching 100 games soon. To do it for the one club means so much. I have always wanted to do it at Manly.
“When I played 25 games, I made it one of my goals…to play 100 games for the Sea Eagles.”
And when that milestone does come around, there is little doubt his team-mates will stand and applaud a very well-deserved century for their 'quiet achiever'.
