Page 630 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

"I think today's win is probably one of the most important wins that the club's had in the past three
years," he said. "It was both very tight and very hard and it probably means more to us to win, giving
where we are coming from with all the hassles we had last year."

The colorful president also praised the hard work of Barbuto. "John's probably been one of the most
positive appointments we've made for some time," O'Connor said. "His input into the club and its
recruiting and into player management has just been enormous."

The Western Times, May 2001

Similarly, Steven Milne was not shy with praise for Brendon Bidwell stressing that,” Boom Parkside
recruit Brendan Bidwell is the talk of the Western Region Football League after set-ting the Merv
Hughes Oval alight with a scorching debut against Hoppers Crossing in the Hahn Premium Light Cup
last Saturday.

The former East Perth full-forward kicked 8.1 in a match-winning performance as the Magpies
stunned the top-of-the-ladder Warriors.

Mystery man Bidwell is the name on everyone's lips, says Western Region Football League (WRFL)
president Rex Swann.

"He's a big boy — got plenty of strength," he said.

"(He's) good in the air and is a very accurate kick. He doesn't wander far (from the goal square, —he
plays close to home."

Parkside John Barbuto is celebrating Bidwell's signing with gusto.

"I'm very delighted," he said.

"He just came down and trained with us — he lives in the area (Ascot Vale). We've kept him under
wraps for a few weeks."

Barbuto insists a strong-marking player of Bidwell's ilk "gives our midfielders a little bit of
enthusiasm to keep pumping the ball in (to him)".

"The supply to Brendan was first class — (from the likes of) Ali Taleb, Dennis Ryan and Michael
Tunzi," he said.

Barbuto made special mention of Greg "Diesel" Karcoushkas' tagging job on in-form rover Paul
Satterley.

He also praised Paul Chatterton's 'shadowing' of star ruckman Anthony Stocker.

It was a famous win for the reigning premiers who endured a particularly turbulent summer.”

The Mail, May 2001

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider