WRFL 2021: Parkside recruits play big roles in win over Wyndhamvale

Flag contender Parkside rolled out several key signings in its WRFL season opener, including two league best and fairest winners.

Parkside playing assistant coach Shaun Campbell calls the shots. Picture: Vladimir Bera

Parkside’s fresh faces made an immediate impact in the Western Region Football League Division 2 on Saturday with five recruits earning mentions in the best in the season opener.

Ned Fraser, Jonah Vraca, Brad Graham, Shaun Campbell and Nathan Montague all played prominent roles in the Magpies’ 34-point away win over Wyndhamvale, 9.9 (63) to 4.5 (29).

League best and fairest winners Campbell (Central Highlands) and Montague (WRFL) headlined the club’s off-season acquisitions, with assistant coach Campbell contributing four goals in his first outing.

But coach Chris Muratore said his side had contributors all over the ground in the re-match of the 2019 preliminary final.

Brad Graham in action for Parkside. Picture: Vladimir Bera

“I couldn’t have faulted anybody,” Muratore said.

“No one really stood out … but everyone just played a role.

“We waited 18 months and went up there wanting to win in the reserves and seniors … and we got those two wins.”

Parkside conceded two goals to one against the breeze in the opening term, which Muratore said laid the foundations for victory.

The visitors piled on eight goals to two in the final three quarters to underline their status as one of the leading contenders for promotion after securing finals appearances the past two seasons.

“I thought we controlled the game pretty well,” Muratore said.

“We adapted to the conditions pretty quickly. That first quarter set us up because it (the wind) was really going down one end, it was swirling and that 30 minutes was a big grind for us.

“They kicked one late … but I thought we really controlled them.

“Then we put the foot down that second quarter and really didn’t look back.”

The Magpies were without Jackson Lesko (broken finger), Jesse Fortune (hamstring) and Jesse McLellan (broken rib).

“We won’t rush these guys back. We feel like we’ve got a lot of depth in our ones and twos, a lot of young guys,” Muratore said.

“We’ll just tick along and hopefully be there towards the pointy end.”

Muratore said he expected the premiership race to be wide open after a season off.

2019 Division 3 premier Glen Orden toppled Point Cook Centrals in Round 1, while North Footscray knocked off former Division 1 outfit Albion.

Newport proved too strong for West Footscray in the remaining fixture.

“I still believe in this competition anyone can beat anyone, which is good because it never used to be like this,” Muratore said.

Parkside will tackle Point Cook Centrals away in Round 2.