Page 509 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

“Boom full-forward Cory Klaaysen is a player capable of kicking Parkside to their first A1 premiership
in 15 seasons. The 30-year-old booted 11 goals to single-handedly destroy an undisciplined Altona in
Saturday’s FDFL preliminary final at the Yarraville Oval.

Klaaysen was unstoppable, too accomplished for a series of opponents ... Talal El Hassan, Joe
Ferguson, Scott Evans, Jim Irvine and El Hassan again. Evans did best before an injury forced him
from the ground.

The strong marking Klaaysen was Parkside’s inspiration and shapes as a real danger man for
Yarraville in Saturday’s grand final at Yarraville.

He kicked six goals in a remarkable solo effort in the first term as the Magpies recovered from a slow
start to lead by 17-points at quarter-time.

“It was unbelievable, I couldn’t have asked for a better start ... I was rapt, a jubilant Klaaysen said
after the match. “I’ve played in five preliminary finals with Parks and this was the first one we’ve
won. If we win next week this is definitely my last season. I want to finish on a high.”

Ironically, Klaaysen admitted he was almost finished with the Magpies at the start of the season.

“I was leaving to play with Avondale Heights, but I pulled the pin at the very last minute,” he said.
“I’ve been here eight seasons and decided to play out my days down here.”

First year Vikings’ coach Lindsay “Cods” Cahill is certainly rueing Klaaysen’s decision to remain loyal
to Parkside.

“He’s killed us every time we’ve played ‘em,” Cahill lamented.

Klaaysen has kicked 81 goals this year, despite missing five weeks with a hamstring injury earlier in
the season.

The result of Saturday’s grand final may come down to the shoot-out between Klaaysen and ace
Tiger spearhead Brian “Buttsa” Memedi, who has kicked 99 goals this season.

Yarraville coach Robert Smith is confident his defence can cut Klaaysen out of the game.

He kicked just one goal against the close-checking Marco Rocci in the second semi-final a fortnight
ago.

But the Magpies fancy their chances against the Tigers. Club official John Barbuto is adamant the
better team lost in that cliff-hanger second semi, Yarraville nudging out an inaccurate Parkside by six
points.

The Magpies’ confidence is sky-high. They were very good on Saturday with the likes of Klaaysen,
ruckman Paul Burgess, on-ballers Frank Zoccali and George Messis, wing-man John Cuzzupe and
tough-as-nails defender Dean Callaway running into some fine form.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider