Parkside secures big win over Point Cook Centrals

Two of Parkside’s biggest recruits produced their best showings in black and white in a big win over Point Cook Centrals as a premiership star played his best game in a while.

Jackson Barrett was best afield for Parkside. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Parkside could have been forgiven for thinking the world was against it, just minutes into its game with Point Cook Centrals.

Ethan Langwell suffered a hamstring injury just seconds before the bounce and then Ned Fraser was ruled out after the “second contest of the game” according to coach Chris Muratore.

But the Magpies rallied and went onto win 15.12 (102) to 6.9 (45).

In the absence of two key players, others took their opportunity to stand tall including off-season recruit Ethan Henley who went head-to-head with Sharks star Daniel Rosenzweig.

“He wore him like a glove,” Muratore said of the former Hoppers Crossing’s star’s game.

“In previous games, we’ve played Ned on Rosenzweig (when he played at Glen Orden) and he’s always done a good job but Ethan really took on the role.

“He’s starting to find his groove and has been really enjoying his footy. You can see it in the way he has been playing.”

At the other end, gun forward Tom Condon continued his good start to the season with eight majors.

The ex-Strathmore player is the leading goalkicker in the WFNL with 29 majors.

“He’s in good touch at the moment,” Muratore said.

“He’s doing exactly what we brought him into do, kick goals.”

In the middle, skipper Jackson Barrett starred with a best on ground display while Nathan Montague responded after some honest conversations during the week.

“Jacko is one of those guys who has gone to another level playing A-grade footy,” the Magpies coach said.

“He’s got a very good footy IQ and it’s showing early.

“On Monte, we put it on him during the week and he responded with his best game in a long time. He had 29 possessions, 10 clearances and six score involvements. We couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Unlike previous weeks, Muratore said his side didn’t lose the game on the back of a “10-minute lapse”.

“Playing consistent footy has been our focus for the whole year,” he said.

“Against Yarraville, we had a lapse, they were in front by five goals all of sudden. Caroline Springs we did the same and they brought the game right back.

“It was happening in the back end of quarters but we were able to clean it up this week.”

Parkside will now face Hoppers Crossing and Altona before the long weekend bye.