THE quarter-time huddle on Sunday proved a sanctuary for Parkside coach Nathan Juegan and his under-siege players.
The out-of-sorts Magpies were down in all key elements in the first 30 minutes, failed to make an impression on the goal umpires’ scorecard and found themselves a jaw-dropping 42-to-zip down to a fired-up Wyndhamvale Falcons in a bizarre start to the Western Region Football League division 2 preliminary final at Crofts Reserve.
Juegan had no inkling the Magpies were going to break down so easily into what he rated a three-goal wind disadvantage in the first term.
‘‘I was a bit surprised,’’ he told the Weekly.
‘‘I had a really good feeling in the rooms before the game. We were very stagnant in the first quarter and didn’t play to instruction.
‘‘[Wyndhamvale] were pressing up nice and hard and our forwards were getting caught behind and weren’t pushing up or being accountable for their opponents.
‘‘We knocked that on the head at quarter-time and changed our tactics for the second and third quarters.’’
The Magpies reverted to good old-fashioned one-on-one footy for the rest of the day and it worked a treat. They ran out 38-point winners, but only after one hell of a fright.
Juegan was proud of the way his players fought their way back from a dire situation.
‘‘To be seven goals down and fight back and win showed a lot of character and a massive will to win,’’ he said.
The Magpies were at their breathtaking best in the final three quarters.
They outscored the Falcons 18 goals to six in that time to gain a much-needed confidence boost ahead of a daunting grand final bout with undefeated Yarraville-Seddon.
Getting on top in the clearances was the key — an area over which they had no influence in the opening term.
Ruckman Alex Lockhart was pivotal in providing first use of the ball to his onball brigade.
‘‘The last three quarters we dominated stoppage work, centre clearances, throw-ups and boundary throw-ins,’’ Juegan said.
Chris Muratore did a power of work in the clinches for the Magpies.
The vice-captain displayed tremendous leadership when his side was reeling.
‘‘He was probably our most influential player for the day,’’Juegan said. ‘‘His ball use around the ground was fantastic and his work ethic is tremendous. He’s got a big engine and goes all day.’’
The cult figure, Mo Khartabil, was a key addition to the Magpies line-up.
The powerful forward straightened the team up and finished with six goals.
‘‘We missed him the week before,’’ Juegan said.
‘‘The boys love him and you just know what you’re going to get from Mo.
‘‘It’s not just about him kicking goals, it’s about him bringing the ball down and applying that forward pressure, which he done all day.’’
The Magpies would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the influence of the back six of Darcy McMahon, Drew Vincent, Joe Jamieson, David Da Silva, Aaron McHutcheson and Matthew Robinson.
Wyndhamvale was shellshocked in the post match.
For the second year running, the Falcons were a game short of playing off in a grand final.
‘‘It’s disappointing,’’ Falcons forward Nathan Evans said. ‘‘I can tell you they don’t give grand final spots away.’’
Devan Ellis was best for the Falcons for his burrowing in at the stoppages and his tackle pressure.
Luke Klein-Breteler and James Damjanovski were outstanding with their rebound off the half-back line.
Aaron Molivas booted four goals to complement his nifty work on the wing.
Division 2 – Preliminary final
Parkside 18.12 (120) d Wyndhamvale 12.10 (82).
Parkside — goals: M Khartabil 6, F Mastropasqua 3, C Muratore 3, A Gervasi 2, D Orchard 2, P Krueger, M Robinson. Best: C Muratore, T Badura, A Lochart, P Krueger, R Glava, D McMahon.
Wyndhamvale — goals: A Molivas 4, N Aldridge 2, N Evans 2, C MacKey, D Galle, J Van Der Munnik , M Lubke. Best: D Ellis, D Galle, A Molivas, M Lubke, D Bunworth, N Aldridge.
