Once a Parksider, always a Parksider. It’s a motto that all Parkside footballers swear by.
Matthew Pearce, one of the standouts for the Magpies in Sunday’s division 2 grand final win over West Footscray, got his first taste of life at the club in 2006. He was instantly hooked.
“Once you play that one game for Parkside, you become part of that brotherhood,” he said.
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Pearce returned to the club two years ago with a view to helping the Magpies get their hands on the holy grail.
Even after playing at higher levels, including the VFL, he was forced to buy into the Magpies’ culture or be on his way. The set of values is what attracted him to the club.
“We’ve had a lot of new guys come into the club this year from higher levels – whether it be division 1, EDFL, WRFL or the country. We bring them in and the culture is already set at the footy club, they don’t dictate the culture.
“It’s a culture that’s passed on and passed on and it’s something that you really want to be a part of.’’
Pearce was one of the key drivers of that selfless culture in Sunday’s grand final. He was the main set-up man for the Magpies, with a handful of score assists.
Even with the Magpies a long way up in the fourth quarter, Pearce resisted the temptation to shoot on goal from 45 metres out when he saw his captain Chris Muratore in a better position and closer to goal.
Most would have chased the glory. But not Pearce, who got his glorious moment when the final siren sounded.
“Whether I kick five goals or kick none, it was all about finishing the year off on the right note,” Pearce said. “We’ve had a super year and it was about finishing off with four quarters of pure effort, and we did that.”
Pearce said he felt humbled to receive a premiership medallion in what may have been his last game of football.
In the lead up to the big day he told loved ones he would retire, but afterwards sounded like a man who could be talked out of it. “I’ve told my family that I’m retiring, but I could go maybe one more,” he said with a smile.
Pearce urged VFL clubs to take a close look at premiership coach Nathan Juegan for future appointments.
“Nathan is one of the most diligent coaches that I’ve played under,” Pearce said. “He’s probably got unfinished business here, but I really see him as someone that can step up and go to that next level.”
