VAFA Division 4: North Brunswick declares it owes flag rival Parkside for finals defeat from 2015

NORTH Brunswick and Parkside were part of one of the most memorable weekends of VAFA finals in recent history. Will this weekend’s Division 4 semi-final be as exciting?

IT WILL long be regarded as one of the most remarkable weekends of VAFA finals.

In the opening week of VAFA Division 4 finals in 2015, the teams which finished fourth (Box Hill North), fifth (Parkside) and sixth (North Brunswick) were successful.

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The series of improbable results meant Westbourne Grammarians (second) and Point Cook (third) crashed out and pitted North Brunswick against Parkside in a preliminary final.

After a stirring win over minor premier Canterbury, the Bulls were unable to produce the same effort as they fell to the Devils by 67 points and missed out on promotion.

While coach Marcus Butera was not in charge at that point and all bar a few players have moved on, North Brunswick has declared it still owes Parkside three years on.

The Bulls’ chance for atonement will come in a major semi-final this weekend when they tackle Parkside for a direct passage to this year’s Division 4 decider.

“How many of the players played in the particular final? One, two, maybe three,” Butera said. “There’s certainly not many players where that will be in their mind.

“(But) I think that might be something we talk about on the track come finals, that we owe this club one because they got us in a final.”

North Brunswick and Parkside wil renew hostilities in VAFA Division 4 finals. Picture: Josie Hayden

North Brunswick is seeking to end a 37-year premiership drought and has been the division’s most dominant side all year.

Nine of the Bulls’ victories to Round 17 were achieved by more than 10 goals and they only lost twice for the campaign — against Mt Lilydale and South Melbourne Districts.

“The last time I saw they don’t give the premiership cup for the team that finishes on top at the end of the season,” Butera said.

“It’s how you perform in the finals. Hopefully we can stand up against quality opposition.”

Butera said he rated Parkside as “the real deal” and his side would have to be “switched on” this weekend.

The club has used more than 50 players in its senior team this season and Butera recognises several tough selection calls are looming.

“With a lot of blokes wanting to push hard, that’s another reason we have had good momentum,” he said.

North Brunswick went down by 36 points to South Melbourne Districts on Saturday, allowing the Swans to grab fourth spot.

The Buls clash with Parkside is on from 2.20pm on Saturday at Garvey Oval, while St Francis Xavier and South Melbourne Districts will meet on Sunday at Waverley Oval.