Tara Murray
Parkside has bounced back from its first loss of the season in the perfect way in the Western Region Football League division 2 competition.
After losing in the top of the table clash the previous round, the Magpies showed why they’re one of the teams to beat this season against Wyndhamvale.
The Magpies led at every break in the 14.15 (99)-7.6 (48).
Magpies coach Chris Muratore said they were really pleased with the match.
“Every time we played them it has been a great game,” he said. “We have a lot of respect for them on and off the field.
“It was good to get back on the winners list after losing the week before.
“We were wasteful in front of goal, but we controlled most of the day especially in the mid and forward half of the ground.
“We’ll take a 51-point win every week.”
Nathan Montague kicked four goals in the win, while Jy Lambley and Brent Kelly kicked two goals each. Jonah Vraca was named the Magpies best.
The win cements the Magpies second spot on the ladder, two games clear of third placed North Footscray.
Muratore said they had started the year exactly like they had wanted to.
“It’s been a great start to the year,” he said. “We wanted to get as many wins on the board early, with not knowing what the year would look like after the last couple of years.
“We’re one week away from the break and we would like to get one more win on the board heading into it.
“We’re confident in what we have done and we know there is still work that we need to do. We’ll look at things that don’t work and things we can improve on.”
Muratore said not having as many injuries as last season had helped them play some more consistent football.
While sitting pretty in the top two, Muratore knows the work has only just begun.
“Being able to play together every week and backup games and work on things that we have been wanting to work on in the last couple of seasons has really helped” he said.
“As a whole we can still get better. We’ve turned over 40 players in the last three years and we’ve only played 10 to 12 games together.
“We want to continue to improve the connection between the backs, mids and forwards. You only get better playing together and we’re hoping to peak at the right time.”
The Magpies face Albion on Saturday, before a division wide bye for the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Muratore said the bye would come at a good time to give everyone a chance to freshen up.
In other results, Albion was too good for West Footscray, winning 19.21 (135)-4.7 (31).
Point Cook Centrals remain undefeated after beating Glen Orden, 18.9 (117)-11.12 (78), while North Footscray beat Newport, 18.12 (120)-14.12 (96).
In division 1, Altona beat Deer Park, Caroline Springs remains undefeated after beating Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing snuck home against Spotswood, St Albans beat Yarraville Seddon and Werribee Districts was too strong for Sunshine.
