Cricket
Reigning premier Footscray Edgewater was left despondent after missing the Premier Cricket finals by a solitary wicket at the weekend. The Bulldogs’ title defence came to an abrupt end after they failed to claim the 10th and final Prahran wicket in the last round of the season at Toorak Park. The Dogs were never in danger of losing the match after posting a massive 7-429 declared on day one on the back of 184 to captain Dean Russ and 96 from James Crosthwaite. But to secure the first innings points, they had to bowl out the home side. Prahran looked shaky all day, collapsing to 5-35 at one point, but the tail dug in to keep the Bulldogs at bay, finishing with 9-226 from a patient 103 overs to claim a share of the points. The Bulldogs lamented the one that got away, ending a turbulent summer in ninth place, five points adrift of St Kilda in eighth. The inquisition can now begin at the kennel.
Football
Parkside is in a state of emergency in the Western Region Football League. The Magpies are without a coach after parting ways with Nathan Juegan and are low on playing stocks after an unexpected mass exodus in the off-season. They are making one last push to recruit the players necessary to take the field in 2015 and have stepped up the search for a new senior coach. The club will hold an extraordinary general meeting for club members and life members at Henry Turner Reserve on Wednesday at 7pm. In a letter to members, Parkside’s committee wrote: “As a committee, we see it as vital that as many members as possible attend. This is your opportunity to be involved and to take action to ensure the continued viability and success of the club.” The Magpies won last year’s division 2 premiership and were promoted to division 1 this season.
