Page 110 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

Kevin Hillier exposes an interesting detail from 1952 season.

“Bob Ducrow, who played at Spotswood and Newport, believes the 1952 final four was shrouded in
controversy:

It came down to the last home and away game and Newport and St. Albans played the last home
game at Newport…whoever won went in the four.This is where the drama started. Halfway through
the season Parkside and West Footscray were to play below the gardens there at Footscray, not on
the ground where they usually played…it was underwater so there was no game. So because it made
a difference to the final four they voted to play it on the Sunday after the last home and away game.

As it turned out, the only way they both could stay in the four was if it was a draw. I was at the game
and I remember thinking there was something wrong in this last quarter. It didn’t happen then, you
see them today and they’re kicking their football across the ground and back the other way and
that’s what these two sides were doing. They got the scores level and then neither side wanted to
score.””

Williamstown Chronicle verifies the validity of Ducrow’s recollections of that, rather bizarre event.

“Although winning by 35 pts. Newport moved into third place on percentage over Parkside. But a
replay of a match between Parkside and West Footscray last Sunday ended in a draw, placing
Newport equal with West Footscray, but of the four on percentage.”

Williamstown Chronicle, 29 Aug 1952 Page 6

At the end of the 1952 season J. Devine who represented A grade players informed committee
members that he “was satisfied with the the team’s effort. It was a grand effort . More than
satisfied with new players and advices they are a fine bunch of players and can look forward to next
season with great confidence.” (19/09/1952)

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider