"But like I said, my motivation was my partner Shardah and my son. I looked at them and thought, 'I don't want to bring my son up to that childhood, the childhood I had.' But that's what I had to do – make a bigger and better future for him and I'm lucky enough to be here and do that. "They stuck by me 110 per cent. You know, when I fall down, they're the only ones who pick me up. Just doing everything that I can do for myself and also for them. And they're there for me 110 per cent. "She's my rock, you know, and he's my little king." Parker was at Moorabbin on Monday with another "king" in the form of Neil Elvis "Nicky" Winmar, the statue-worthy legend who was there for the launch of St Kilda's reconciliation action plan and Indigenous round jumper, while reflecting on his own glories, the racism encountered by Eddie Betts and Adam Goodes and his own brushes with mortality. Winmar, who had presented Parker with his guernsey for his first game this season, said he was "all right" following a heart attack some time ago.

Matthew Parker with Saints legend Nicky Winmar. Credit:Wayne Ludbey "It's been difficult, the doctors have told me the next one could be the last one," the St Kilda great said. "So I'm living – how can you say – like playing Russian roulette with your life. "But you can't say that, you just have to keep taking your pills." Winmar's impact on this generation of Indigenous players at St Kilda was evident in the tributes of both Parker and Ben Long, who designed the Indigenous guernsey for the upcoming Sir Doug Nicholls round with the help of his sister and aunt, and whose uncle happens to be an Essendon player called Michael Long. "He's probably the face of change – it (racism) is still out there, but the game has changed," said Long, who might have been referring to either his uncle Michael or Winmar.

"When I moved, I had family down here and I was obviously very lucky having Michael as my uncle. "To have my uncle who's gone before me, and especially Nicky and (ex-Saint) Gilbert McAdam – I'm following in their footsteps, to stand as a strong Indigenous man." Parker found it "overwhelming" to have his jumper presented by Winmar. "Words can't explain it ... what he's done for the game, and how much of a person he is." Geelong's Kelly, one of the most influential players in the competition this year, had helped Parker "a lot" as teammates at South Fremantle, where Parker arrived in 2017, caught the eye of St Kilda scouts immediately with a flashy display of skill, but did not get drafted until last year. Parker had been spurred, too, by Kelly's eventual success, the Geelong gun having been – inexplicably, given present form – overlooked by AFL clubs for six years.

"That gave me a bit of motivation – why can't I do it, see how we go? Luckily enough Saints gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I've just got to give it all, 110 per cent to the Saints." Parker felt had he had "always been good enough to play AFL" and that if he gave it everything, "I might have a chance". Winmar said of his protege of sorts: "I'd like to see him stay around for a few years." It's a hope that a grateful Parker shared.