Pirates brave in away loss

By Glen Atwell
THE Parkmore Pirates walked the plank for the first time this season, losing to North Kew Bears by 12 points at Stradbroke Park on Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Pirates impressed, Danny Casset booted five goals and Jayde Handfield was unstoppable through the midfield.
Stradbroke Park in recent years has become a fortress for the Bears, who have not lost a home game for more than a season and half.
But North Kew struggled all day to kick clear of the Pirates.
Pirates assistant coach Gary Connolly said a loss was a loss, but the experience would be good for the side.
“The team is still coming together and learning as a group and the boys put on a good show at a ground notoriously hard to win at,” he said.
The Pirates outscored the Bears six goals to four after half-time, a statistic that Connolly would be focusing on in preparation for the match this Saturday against local rivals Dandenong.
“It’s a big match this weekend, there will be plenty of rivalry,” he laughed.
The fact that Connolly coached the Demons last season, and a handful of Demon players followed him to Parkmore this season, could spark a heated encounter.
“They’ll no doubt come out firing, but we are getting used to being targeted.
“Casset is used to it and we have come to expect the extra attention, it can work in our favour,” Connolly said.
The Pirates and the Demons clash at Wachter Reserve, Keysborough at 2pm this Saturday.