Page 605 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

The image of Footscray was certainly a major issue according to Rex Swann:

It was always a pretty tough sort of a joint. Drugs were the big problem in Footscray. We had
meetings about it and anywhere where we could help we did. We went to the drug dependency mob,
and they came out and gave us speakers to talk to the kids in the League about the problem. We had
meeting everywhere at Hoppers, Spotty, all over. We got all the kids in, and then the police heard
about it, and they came and got involved.”

History of the WRFL/FDFL / written and compiled by Kevin Hillier (2007)

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It is generally accepted that the pain of defeat in a Grand Final is more significant than the joy of
victory. Following the disappointment of the 1999 Grand Final loss, Parksiders have vowed to
strengthen the team for 2000 season.

Phil O’Keeffe (coach & player) worked hard together with the president, committee, volunteers and
supporters to turn Parkside FC, again into a Premiership side.

It was an emotional opening to the 2000 season for Parkside Football Club.

By Steven Milne

“THE appearance of a wheelchair-bound Ross Napoli on the sidelines fired and inspired Parkside to
an emotion-charged win over 1998-99 premiers Port Colts in a helter of a season opener at Murphy
Reserve.

The Magpies did Napoli proud by showing incredible character to slam on three goals in the time-on
period of the last quarter to win by 20 points.

And Napoli was all smiles as he locked arms with former teammates Michael Tunzi and Chris
Karakazakis as triumphant coach Phil O'Keeffe led his players in a rousing rendition of the club
theme song in the dressing-room after the game.

Star players Sami Sir, David Patterson and Jason Crosswell later planted kisses on Napoli's head in a
heart-warming show of support.

Napoli paid tribute to "my brothers" — adamant their undying support since he sustained a serious
neck injury in a game last season got him through some particularly dark times.

"I was in hospital for a long time." Napoli said.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider