WFNL: Parkside breaks 16-year drought in division one

Parkside won its first Division 1 game in 16 years as co-coach Chris Muratore reflects on breaking the drought and the players who have excited so far this season.

Parkside captain Jackson Barrett. Picture: Andy Brownbill

There was a sense of “relief” on the final siren for Parkside co-coaches Chris Muratore and Michael Licciardo on Saturday.

For the first time in 16 years, the Magpies had recorded a WFNL division one win after prevailing 11.9 (75) to 7.10 (52) over Spotswood.

Muratore, who has become part of the furniture at Merv Hughes Oval, has seen the ups and downs the club has since experienced.

“Sixteen years in the making, 16 years of some bloody tough times,” he said.

“We won two premierships in that time, the club almost closed its doors, to be back here butting heads with the big clubs means absolutely everything to us.

“Licca and I went out for dinner straight after the game and there was just a feeling of relief. We got so close the week before against Point Cook, and we got a lot of praise for that.

“We didn’t want to be known as a side for getting close. We want to be known as a side for winning games and being judged in that way.”

As the changerooms exploded with joy and one of the loudest renditions of the club song in recent memory, Muratore had taken a moment to reflect.

Several of the players who helped lift the club back to the top tier in last year’s premiership success had performed strongly against one of the league’s most proud clubs.

“Sam Dukic’s job on (Nick) Graham was huge,” he said.

“Jonah and Luke Vraca look like they’ve gone to another level. I truly do think the guys we do have will go better in A-grade because of the way they play footy.

“They can go out and play footy against good quality sides that want to press and zone without having sides turn it into a scrappy game.

“These guys will adapt to the fast transition kind of game and it’s the reason why we got them the last few years.”

Then there was the new star man up forward — Tom Condon — who booted six goals in a display which shows why he will trouble the competition’s best backman.

Described as a “rock star” by Muratore, the former Strathmore gun stamped his authority on the black and white army.

“Tommy was lucky he was the guy that ended up with six but I think it could have been anyone,” Muratore said.

“When someone said he kicked six, I didn’t think he kicked that many. He was up the ground, defending as well.

“He got the lick of the ice cream on Saturday, it could be anyone else next week.

“He kicked the goals, that’s why we got him to the footy club. He’s a rock star, he’s got a bit of swagger which you love to see in a forward.

“He had a bit of a crowd going coast to coast with him, it was a bit old school.”

Jonah Vraca has gone to another level. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The lead up to the game wasn’t without its challenges either with several first choice players unavailable due to a teammate’s wedding.

“We were battling away this week. Selection was hard this week because eight or nine guys were at the wedding,” Muratore said.

“That’s where we’re lucky at the moment we’ve got some really good depth and guys who really want an opportunity.

“James Keenan came in and performed a really strong role for us. We’re just basing our style on a system first mentality.

“You don’t need to have 40 and kick 10 to have an impact.”