Page 506 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

“PARKSIDE coach Larry Simmons is insistent his Magpies have what it will take to win this year's A 1
premiership.

"l don't think there's too much that's going to stop us." he said.

And few would be foolish enough to argue with Simmons after his side's powerful 58-point
demolition of a bitterly disappointing Altona in Saturday's qualifying final at Yarraville.

"Our boys did the job real well." he said. "I couldn't have read a better script if I'd wanted to."

It was a far different story for Viking coach Lindsay Cahill though.

He was still coming to terms with his side's insipid display when he spoke to The Times on Monday.

"We simply didn't have a winner all day. although I thought Andrew Venner tried hard in the ruck."
he said. "Parkside wanted the ball more than us and were prepared to work a lot harder. Unless they
do as I say, listen to the coach. that is what's going to happen:-

He added: "It can only get better. it can't get any worse."

Ironically. Cahill admitted his selected side for the big match was the best Altona have fielded this
season. However, he did lament the ankle injury suffered by star utility Greg "Nuts" Minett in the
opening minutes of the game.

Parkside dominated from the opening bounce, slamming on 9.1 to 3.3 against a slight breeze to
charge to a 34-point lead at quarter-time. Gun full-forward Cory Klaayson inspired the blitzkrieg with
five goals. while centre half-forward Paul Henderson also shone.

"The boys used those key forward fellas real well," Simmons said.

There was no stopping the pumped up Magpies in the second term either as the) extended their
lead to a whop¬ping 61-points at half-time. It was all one-way traffic. The game was all over.

Simmons expressed great surprise at the ease of the win.

"I don't think they (Altona) did their homework as well as they could have." he said. "They went in a
touch arrogant."

He paid tribute to the work rate of ruckman Paul Burgess. on-ballers Michael "Tocka" O'Keefe and Ali
Taleb and defender Dean Callaway.

Simmons said his side was "jumpng out of our skins" to play minor premiers Yarraville in the second
semi-final at the Yarraville Oval this Saturday. The winner will book themselves a berth in the grand
final.

"They're going to be harder, they've got pace all over the ground," he said.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider