Page 504 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

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In round 18, Parkside beat Spotswood by 26 points. Parkside 11.23-89 d. Spotswood 9.9-63

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Steven Milne wrote this article at the end of round 18 of a regular FDFL A1 season,

“Shock waves are reverberating around the Footscray District Football League with the news that
perennial powerhouse Spotswood have crashed out of the finals race.

The Woodsmen's dreams of back-to-back Al premier-ships are in tatters after Saturday's away loss to
the consistent Parkside.

It was a costly loss. Spotswood slipped out of the final five, replaced by Deer Park who beat Seddon-
Yarraville Club.

It's the first season since 1989 that the Woodsmen will be spectators at finals time. The club has
played in the past six grand finals.

The Al premiership race is the most open it's been for years. And there's a real expectation about
this year's Al finals series which kicks-off at the Yarraville Oval this weekend. The premiership race
promises to be an absolute clinker.

The top three sides ... Yarraville, Parkside and Altona ... were separated by percentage after finishing
the FOOTSCRAY District home and away rounds with 15 wins and three losses.

All hold legitimate premiership aspirations.

But officials at both fourth-placed Hoppers Crossing (12 wins) and fifth side Deer Park (11 wins) insist
they won't just be making up the numbers.

"There's only a nose between the top three and I'd like to think we weren't that far behind them,"
Deer Park coach Mark McGoldrick said. "No-one could classify anyone as odds-on (flag) favorites. If
we can get over Hoppers Crossing this Sunday, I think we can cause a few teams a few problems."

Hoppers Crossing president Doug Webster has similar thoughts.

"We don't believe we're there making up the numbers. We reckon we'll give it (the premiership) a
shake."

Hoppers Crossing and Deer Park will meet in the do-or-die elimination final at the Yarraville Oval this
Sunday, 2.15pm start.

McGoldrick expects the Cats to be a tough nut to crack.

"They will certainly be pumped up for their first final (in A 1 ranks), there's no doubt about that," he
said. "But we'll be full on ... don't worry about that."

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider