Page 570 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized
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Parkside Football Club 1897/2017
By Steve Milne
“Triumphant Parkside playing coach Phil O'Keeffe and his players were pumped to the maximum.
And in fine voice, too.
The Magpies had obliterated highly respected Deer Park by 89 points at the Merv Hughes Oval in the
FDFL's first division match of the day on Saturday.
The big win rocketed Parkside to the top of the ladder.
They celebrated with a rousing rendition of the club's theme song in the dressing rooms.
"It's the loudest I've ever heard the song sung," O'Keeffe said.
"There's a great feeling around the club. Parkside is all about playing good footy and enjoying
yourself."
O'Keeffe lauded his side's "ferocious attack on the footy".
Stars included back pocket Sami Sir, half-back Jason Crosswell, ruckman Paul Burgess and rover
Frank Zoccali.
Sir is from an impressive footy family. Williamstown star Sedat Sir is his younger brother.
It has been a dream start for the Magpies under new coach O'Keeffe, who replaced Shane Keogh
over the summer. But O'Keeffe is adamant it's "very, very early days".
"Dream start? Come on Steven — we're only two rounds in," he said.
But he admitted full strength Parkside should prove tough to beat.
"We've got that good a side (that) half the blokes coach me," he said.
He said the club's playing list had been bolstered considerably by the on field return of 1996
premiership heroes Michael O'Keefe and Craig Browne-Kerr.
O'Keefe (groin) endured a wretched injured plagued 1998 season, while Browne-Kerr spent the
season playing footy in the country.
The Magpies are determined to give the premiership a great shake after the bitter disappointment
of failing to fire a shot in last year's finals series.”
Parkside 23.14-152 d. Deer Park 9.9-63
The Advocate, April 1999
***
Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider
