Tara Murray
Parkside overcame its worst football of the year to secure an all important top two spot in the Western Region Football League division 2.
It was a case of two halves for the Magpies against Wyndhamvale, which is among a group of sides aiming to sneak into the finals.
Magpies coach Chris Muratore said the group felt like it was just going to happen, but were made to pay early.
The Magpies would eventually get the win, 10.17 (77)-9.5 (59).
“It was a game of two halves,” he said. “It’s always a tough game against Wyndhamvale has been the last few years. They’re a quality team and they want to play finals.
“We played our worst football of the year in the first half, but we were only one goal down.
“After half time we got going and controlled the game.
“We didn’t convert as we would have liked, kicking 17 behinds and four out of bounds on the fall.
“In the third quarter the ball was in our half for most of it, while in the last quarter they only had two inside 50s.
“Once we started converting we were on our way.”
Brent Kelly kicked five goals in the win in his best game for the season.
Jackson Barrett, Ben Ashman and Tom Markey were among the other standouts.
“From where we were at half time to have a number of good players was pleasing,” Muratore said.
“I couldn’t have told you one or two best players at that point.”
The win locks up a top two spot with three rounds remaining. The Magpies will likely finish second behind Point Cook Centrals, who are undefeated.
The two teams played each other in the previous round, with the Centrals winning by four points.
Muratore said the focus for his side was to continue to tinker and improve in the run home to finals.
“You don’t go 15-0 for no reason,” he said of Point Cook Centrals.
“The first time we played them we lost by eight goals and they controlled most of the game. There were areas to get better in and work on.
“We will turn our attention to what we need to do and the tools that we need to be better. They will get better as well.
“There’s a few quality sides and it’s a really even competition this year, it should be a good finals series.”
The Magpies are set to be boosted by the returns of John Atar, Matthew Chen and Matthew Alvis.
The Magpies this week face Albion, which is now in fourth spot. Muratore is expecting a tough hard contested game of football.
“I think they are a top four side.”
In other results, Newport upset North Footscray, Point Cook Centrals smashed Glen Orden and Albion had a day out against West Footscray.
In division 3, Braybrook beat Laverton by 328 points, the Suns beat North Sunshine, while Albanvale beat Tarneit.
