WRFL 2018: Parkside co-coach Nick Condos open to sharing top job with Chris Muratore in 2019
Parkside co-coach Nick Condos says he is open to continuing in the top job next season as the club chases a finals berth in Western Region Football League Division 2.
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PARKSIDE co-coach Nick Condos says he is open to continuing in the top job next season as the club chases a finals berth in Western Region Football League Division 2.
Condos is sharing the coaching role with Chris Muratore after steering the Magpies to the Division 3 flag last year.
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The plan is for Muratore to coach solo from 2019 in a succession plan, and Condos said he remained focused on this season.
“All I’m worried about, to be honest, is getting this year done,” Condos said.
“We’ll sit down as a club and if Chris wants me to help him, those options are always open.
“At this stage, my sole concern is trying to win as many games as we can and finish off the best we could.”
Parkside sits in fourth spot with a 5-7 record after Saturday’s come-from-behind win over West Footscray.
The Magpies trailed by 16 points at the final change of ends before kicking four unanswered goals in the last quarter to prevail 11.11 (77) to 10.5 (65), leaving them equal on points with Manor Lakes and Newport Power with six games remaining in the regular season.
Top-three teams Yarraville-Seddon, Point Cook and reigning premier North Footscray have rubber-stamped a finals berth.
Condos conceded his side “did look down the barrel for a while” against the improving Roosters.
“I just think our work rate and ability to get clearances from the midfield,” Condos said when asked how Parkside turned the contest in its favour.
“We were able to go forward and convert early goals.
“It gave the boys confidence and shifted the momentum.”
The coach praised the efforts of Muratore, Riley O’Shea, Max Rampling, Luke Buttigieg and Jesse Fortune, who bagged four majors.
“Our leaders stood up and the other guys just followed,” Condos said.
“That was the pleasing part. There were 22 contributors.”
The Magpies waved goodbye to two of their premiership stars — Jason Cloke and Justin Dorward — and while they have struggled against the competition’s leading clubs, the fact they have not been in relegation danger at any stage would satisfy any promoted team.
Condos said securing a top-four spot “would be a great boost for us”.
“Our budget’s probably not as high as a lot of them, but it would be a great effort,” he said.
Parkside will next tackle Point Cook away from home on Saturday.
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