Mid-season recruit Matthew Parker has signed a new one-year extension with the Tigers, extending his stay at Punt Road until the end of next season.

Parker joined Richmond in June via the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, heading to the Victorin powerhouse club after being delisted by St Kilda at the end of last season.

The 25-year-old had a strong opening half to the 2021 season with WAFL side South Fremantle - where he was also granted permission to return to for their Grand Final push - and was selected by the Tigers for the remainder of this year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Matthew Parker of the Saints performs an indigenous dance after kicking a goal during the round 10 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

After managing to break into Damien Hardwick's side for Richmond's Round 18 clash against Brisbane, Parker featured in the remaining matches for the season to add a further six matches to his career tally.

Richmond's manager of football talent Blair Hartley lauded Parker's resilience to fight back into the AFL system.

โ€œMatt did not put a foot wrong after he joined us mid-year, as demonstrated by his quick elevation to the senior team,โ€ Hartley said on the signing.

MATTHEW PARKER
Forward
Richmond
2021 SEASON AVG
13.2
Disposals
4.8
Tackles
0.5
Goals

โ€œWe are excited to be able to keep him around for 2022 and look forward to seeing a lot more of him in Richmond colours.

โ€œIt is a credit to the work he has done behind the scenes to get himself back in a position to tackle a full AFL season ahead.โ€

Parker played 19 games for St Kilda between 2019-2020, booting 16 goals in the red, white and black.