Every game is a mini final for Parkside in the run home in the Western Football League division 1 competition.
The Magpies sit outside the top five, with a number of upsets in recent weeks making every game important in the finals race.
On Saturday, the Magpies were able to get the job down against Sunshine despite not playing their best football, winning 15.11 (101)-12.4 (76).
Magpies co-coach Chris Muratore said they were wary of the position they had found themselves in.
“We have sort of put ourselves in a position that every game is crucial,” he said. “We play games against the sides that are around us, so every game is an eight point game for us.
“A couple of results early in the season have hurt us a little bit now.”
Muratore said they wanted to improve on what they did in their first season in the top flight.
He said whether they play finals or not, they feel like they are talking steps forward this season.
One of those key improvements was on show on Saturday against the Kangaroos.
The Magpies led at each of the breaks, but it wasn’t until the final quarter they were able to break it open.
Muratore said even a month ago they would have lost that sort of match.
“It was a frustrating game,” he said. “I thought we were always in control of the game and knew we would win.
“The fundamentals let us down and let them get easy ball and resulted in goals.
“We were in a position we should not have been in, but credit to us we didn’t lose the match.
“We took some big steps and were able to grind it out and the moments were going to come.”
Muratore said their key players stepped up in those moments they needed to.
He said the biggest thing in the group that had changed recently was mindset.
“It’s the belief in each other,” he said. “We had a good season and there might have been that thought it would roll on and happen for us.
“It’s taken a little bit of time to work out what is important for us as we weren’t performing the way we wanted to.
“It was about finding a way and being content and hopefully finding some success.”
Tom Condon kicked four goals for the Magpies, while three other players kicked two goals each.
Dean Simmons, Ned Fraser and Jy Lambley were named the Magpies best.
The Magpies sit in seventh spot, a game outside the top four.
They face Altona this Saturday.
Muratore knows how important this game is.
“We let it slip the first time,” he said. “We had five or six extra scoring shots and were the better side for three quarters.”
In other games, Spotswood remains in fifth spot after beating Newport, 16.22 (118)-5.5 (35), while Altona lost to Hoppers Crossing, 12.19 (91)-6.12 (48).
