Ball in the balance! Parkmore Pirate Paul Bonadio tries to win the hit-out against Black Rock’s Szymon Gabrys, while Parkmore rover Justin Isaac waits patiently for the crumbs. Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Glen Atwell
THE Parkmore Pirates made a mockery of the only other Southern Football League side likely to contest the division three premiership this season.
Black Rock was rolled by 90 points at Wachter Reserve on Saturday in front of the biggest ever crowd at a Parkmore home game.
The swashbuckling crew were expecting a close contest, but the Pirates had forced the Rockers ship ashore by half-time.
Sparks flew before the first bounce when Parkmore full-forward Danny Casset was involved in a heated exchange with Rockers defender James Challis.
The scuffle left Casset with a very sore finger and Challis with blood gushing from above his right eye.
Both players were green-carded and banished from the field for the first half of the opening term.
Casset returned and still managed to boot 10 goals, despite playing in obvious pain.
Jayde Handfield kicked the first goal of the game and proceeded to play his best game of the season.
Handfield, who finished with three goals, seemed unmarked for most of the game and commanded countless possessions across the ground.
At quarter time, Pirates assistant coach Gary Connolly was adamant his side should have been further in front.
“They had four scoring shots and kicked three goals, we had ten and only kicked five – let’s keep the pressure on,” he said.
The team responded. Casset kicked two in two minutes and when Handfield booted a 40-metre goal off one step the rugged Rockers were out of the contest.
The Pirates’ 67-point half-time lead looked certain to blow-out to a 100-plus-point flogging, but Black Rock returned to the field with renewed spirit.
With pride on the line, the Rockers gained the momentum for the first half of the third term, but a Kevin McLean soccer goal and two late goals from Casset ensured a Parkmore win and top spot on the ladder.
Anthony McDonald worked tirelessly through the midfield alongside Sean Millane, who booted two goals for the Pirates.
Peter Knot could be in doubt for the Pirates’ match against the Doveton Eagles at Power Reserve on Saturday, after receiving a heavy blow to the ribs.
Connolly said the team would not be going through the motions on Saturday.
“It’s one of those games where if you play expecting to just win, it doesn’t happen,” he said.The match carries significant importance to Connolly, who has not coached a winning side against Doveton for 11 years.
“It’s been a long time. Hopefully we can get across the line,” he said.
The match kicks off at 2pm.
