Parkside will get its chance at redemption for last season’s grand final disappointment in the WRFL division 3.
The Magpies return to face new boys Newport Power in the season-decider at Wootten Road Reserve on Saturday, after toppling Tarneit Titans by 26 points in the preliminary final at the same venue last Sunday.
The Magpies’ return means the world to veteran coach Nick Condos, who took over the reins at the start of this season.
“It’s my club – I played all my footy there,” Condos told Star Weekly. “I can’t say that it doesn’t touch every little bit of me emotionally.
“They could’ve easily closed the doors to the club 12 months ago.”
Parkside has moved on from the turmoil that embroiled the club before the 2015 season. The Magpies were set for promotion to division 1 before last season, only to have a mass exodus of players on the eve of the season ruin these plans.
The player walkout not only put the Magpies’ season in jeopardy, but their very existence was under threat, so the WRFL allowed the club to buy time in the third division.
This season has been a doozy, with teams in the top five playing musical chairs for finals positions, and no clear flag favourite days out from the grand final.
“It’s the first time I’ve been involved in divvy three, and I would honestly say there were probably five teams that could’ve won it,” Condos said. “For us to get up there again, it’s just a good opportunity to have another crack.”
Parkside delivered the knockout to Tarneit’s season – and possibly spared the WRFL a question over scheduling the Titans on their home ground through the finals. A six-goal-to-two lead at half-time was just what the Magpies needed for a grand final berth.
The grand final will offer up a battle of contrasts. Parkside was founded in 1897 and was a member of the WRFL in its inaugural season in 1931. They’ve won 15 premierships, including the league’s first ever, and have the experience of last year’s grand final to draw on.
On the other side of the equation, Newport is a first-year senior club, but it finished the season on top of the ladder and holds a 2-1 record over Parkside this season, though the semi-final’s one-point result favoured Power.
“It’s a different game and a different scenario,” Condos said. “Newport are a quality outfit. This gives us another crack at them.”
