Australian Football

Known as ‘The mighty Atom’ during his playing career, Bob Parsons gave tremendous service to Tasmanian football as both a player and a coach for the better part of three decades. He began with New Town prior to World War II before embarking on military service abroad. After returning home in 1945 he joined forces with Jack Rough and Bill Fox to provide New Town with one of the greatest ruck combinations seen in Tasmanian football. A member of premiership sides in 1948 and 1949, Parsons played a total of 95 TANFL games with New Town. He later played with Clarence (six games) and Penguin (66 games).

A regular interstate and representative player, arguably the greatest achievement in Bob Parsons’ career came when he topped the goal kicking at the 1950 Brisbane carnival. With 14 goals in four games, Parsons finished two ahead of Bill Hutchison of the VFL, while renowned full forward John Coleman could manage only nine goals for the series. Had an All Australian team been selected after the championships there seems little doubt that Parsons would have been included. Parsons also represented Tasmania at the Adelaide carnival three years later, and it was there, in recognition of his alacrity, courage and verve, that the nickname of ‘The Mighty Atom’ was first conferred upon him.

After his retirement as a player, Bob Parsons was a successful coach, with his greatest accomplishment coming in 1965 when he steered Glenorchy, as New Town was renamed in 1957, to both the TANFL and state premierships. He is a member of Penguin’s official ‘Team of the Century’, but not, perhaps surprisingly, Glenorchy’s.

Author - John Devaney