Career
An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative fullback, he played club football in the Newcastle Rugby League for Cessnock, in Sydney"s NSWRFL Premiership for Balmain, and also in country Queensland and New South Wales during his career. Parkinson played four seasons in Newcastle for the Cessnock club before moving to Sydney. Balmain again reached the final in the 1945 NSWRFL season, which was a 22-18 loss against Eastern Suburbs.
The following season Parkinson was selected to play representative football for Sydney against South Coast and was then a surprise selection for Australia, becoming Kangaroo northern
229 when he was chosen to play against the touring Great Britain team He made several try-saving tackles, which earned him praise as the Kangaroos held Great Britain to an 8-all draw in the first test.
Again playing at fullback in the third test, after only 7 minutes Parkinson was tackled heavily and suffered a broken bone in his ankle. However he continued playing and Australia were further depleted when Arthur Clues was sent off for punching and the Kangaroos lost 20-7.
Due to his injury Parkinson missed Balmain"s victory over Street George in the 1946 premiership decider.
Parkinson returned for the 1948 NSWRFL season and once again Balmain reached the premiership decider but lost 8-5 to Western Suburbs. Parkinson played at Parkes in 1949, then rejoined Cessnock in 1950. He played at fullback and kicked goals in each of Cessnock"s Newcastle Rugby League grand finals wins of 1950, 1954 and 1955.
In 1954 he captained Newcastle in 11-10 and 28-22 wins against Great Britain.
Parkinson also enjoyed Newcastle Rugby League premierships with his club, Cessnock in 1954 and 1955.
