Round 4 Parkside vs. Reservoir at Parkside

Round 4 of the Northern Football League 2009 season is complete and the Parkside Football Club reserves at 4-0 are just 2 percentage points from the top of the ladder.

Over the weekend, we welcomed Reservoir to our home ground, but we never let them get too comfortable. The challenge we have with our team at Parkside each week is very similar to the challenge we have in Milwaukee, player personnel varies from game to game. So while the core of players remains the same, we tend to spend the first half of games trying to figure out how to best play together. This week it took 3 quarters and we found ourselves ahead by only 5 points at 3 quarter time. Then we flipped the switch in the 4th quarter and ran away with the game, kicking 10 straight goals. This meant that I basically became a spectator in the 4th quarter as I watched our on-ballers win the ball out of the square over and over and hit targets in the forward line. It was very similar to watching Rob win the ball and kick to Heath Whelan when he kicked 10 goals against Minnesota last season.

The first 3 quarters I saw a bit more action, but not much. The ball made it down to my end a handful of times and when it did I got my hands on it and made some good disposals. I'd like to have one of my handballs back, but overall felt good about another solid performance and am continuing to make strides in the right direction.

I was not able to stick around for the seniors game because I had to catch a ride to Sam and Jess's for their house warming party. They have a great house, great friends and of course looked after me so it was another great weekend with the Bells! Miraculously, the seniors found a way to win despite the absence of Peter the Greek, who's career has now officially come to an end following his knee injury last week at Panton Hill. The seniors are now 3-1 and will see the return of a couple key players from injury this week as we take on Diamond Creek. This will be the biggest challenge of the season so far and be a good litmus test for both sides.