Page 612 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

The Parks secured a double-chance finishing top of the ladder.

At the same time Port Colts needed to beat St Albans in order to progress to the second semi-final.

By Steven Milne

“Port Colts coach Matthew Larkin has blasted talk that minor premier Parkside is the only side that
stands in their way of winning a hat-trick of premierships.

The former North Melbourne captain warns third-placed St Albans will be tough to beat, particularly
with playing coach and dual Essendon premiership player Alan Ezard in devastating touch.

Larkin says West Footscray and Deer Park are also capable of doing damage when on song.

Larkin will ram the message down the throats of his players on the training track in the build up to
Saturday's qualifying final against Ezard's Saints at Yarraville Oval.

"We'll be switched right on for St Albans, no worries about that," Larkin said.

"We won't be under-estimating them. They were right up there throughout the year. Our players
will be right on the job."

The news from the medical room is good for the Borough with centreman Stephen Pearce
(hamstring), ruckman Sam Hoath (concussion) and full-forward Glen Williams (shoulder) set to
return.

Exciting utility Adrian Newman (hand) is rated a 50-50 chance to resume.

Larkin is expected to have his players breathing fire after their shock six-point loss to injury-ravaged
Hoppers Crossing at home in the final home-and-away round last Saturday.

"We played a side who came to play. It woke us up a bit." he said.

Forwards Jason Clarke and Peter Matthews will be keen to keep the goal umpires and scoreboard
attendants busy this Saturday.”

***

“Beware the battle-scarred Borough.

That’s the message Parkside playing coach Phil 0’Keefe will convey to his players in the build-up to
Saturday’s second semi-final against 1998 and‘99 premiers Port Colts at Yarraville Oval.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider