Tara Murray
Parkside didn’t fire a shot in its semi final loss to Point Cook Centrals in the Western Region Football League division 2 on Saturday.
Centrals entered the match as favourites having not lost this season, but the Magpies took plenty of confidence into the game after a good couple of weeks.
It’s a game that the Magpies quickly want to forget as they lost 16.9 (105)-5.11 (41). They kicked just one goal in the first half.
Magpies coach Chris Muratore said it was a disappointing day overall and was lost for what happened.
“We didn’t fire a shot to be honest,” he said. “It’s it performance to put to bed and forget about.
“We had some good meetings through the week and we thought we were ready to go, but Point Cook Centrals lifted the bar and we didn’t go with them.”
Muratore said with no football finals for the past two years, it was a bit of a reality check of what was needed in finals.
He said they thought they had enough experienced players in the side that would be able to step up when needed, but it didn’t happen on game day.
The Centrals kicked five goals in the first quarter with the breeze, before another five in second quarter to have the game all but won.
Jy Lambley kicked two goals for Parkside. The Magpies didn’t name any best players online.
“They just out played us in every part of the ground,” he said. “They were cleaner, stronger and better all day.”
The season is far from over for Parkside, with a preliminary match up with North Footscray, which beat Wyndhamvale.
Muratore, who was going to watch the other semi final, said they needed to get back to playing their football.
“We have been the second best side in the competition,” he said. “We’ve got that double chance.
“We need to turn it around quickly. We’ve had some good results against the other teams in finals.
“The competition is pretty even, but Point Cook was another level on the day. We’re confident of getting back to play them again and shake it up.
“We’re looking forward to to this week.”
In division 3, Albanvale will play the Suns for a spot in the grand final, while Braybrook will play Sunshine Heights in a knock out semi final.
Tara Murray
