300 Reasons to Celebrate as Stepar Joins Pirate Elite
By Shaun Payze
There were some significant events on the world stage in 1994:
- The Rawandan genocide began
- Kurt Cobain died
- First democratic elections in South Africa
- USA and Russia sign historic nuclear treaty
- OJ Simpson arrested
- “Friends” premieres on American TV
- Aryton Senna killed
- Channel Tunnel opens
- Steve Parsons debuts for the POBFC
1994 is that long ago that Angles hadn’t even been installed as President of the Pirates yet. Sambo was President (and reserves coach), Doc Thripp was about to begin an 8 year stretch as Secretary and Kerls was beginning his third stint as senior coach. Ace of Base had the biggest song of the year with the “The Sign”, Blue Heelers was the biggest show on the small screen while The Lion King was the biggest thing on the big screen.
Little did people know that the younger Parsons brother was about to begin a career that would outlast just about all every other person to wear the blue and tan, including such club greats as Wiltshire, Angus, Bodycomb, Schmidt and Hamilton.
In those days the Grand Hotel in Frankston was the place to be scene with the Leggie’s back bar a favourite of the Pirates. They sponsored the club so every Thursday and Saturday night The Pirates would take over the place. The dress code of the day was t-shirt, jeans and blundstones.
Along with Ace of Base, the band Hansen was huge at the time and according to Stepar’s brother Andrew, Steve was “obsessed” in them, particularly their long golden locks. As a tribute Steve had spent the summer of 1993/94 growing a ponytail. Pirate troublemaker of the time Alan Gross would later describe the ponytail as “not a hairdo, a hair don’t”.
For reasons unknown the younger Parsons wasn’t a favourite of senior coach Rod Kerley and as a result spent the whole 1994 season in the reserves. It wasn’t until Myles Landry took over as coach in 1995 that Stepar got his taste of senior football. It was in 1995 that Stepar would suffer the first Grand Final defeat of his career, the 1995 reserves loss to Salesian. By the time Brett McIlwraith took over as senior coach in 1997 Stepar had cemented his place as a Senior footballer.
Pirate historians claim Round 10 1998 was the watershed day in Stepar’s career. Before the top of the table clash v Old Caulfield at Glenhuntly Reserve, Stepar arrived at the game sans ponytail. With the weight of ponytail lifted from his shoulders, he was finally free to play the football he was destined to. Although many would say that the loss of the ponytail had a far greater affect on the women of the Mornington Peninsula than it did on his football career.
Following the McIlwraith v Landry/Landry/Gross/Bonner debacle at the 1998 vote count and the ensuing turnover in players, Stepar quickly established himself as the Pirate’s #1 onballer. His trademark was his hardness and tackling which continually set the standard for the Pirates. Fellow Pirate hard man Reed Powney describes Stepar as “without doubt the best tackler at the club in my time”. In Round 3 2000 he laid probably his fiercest tackle ever which almost sparked one of the great Pirate comebacks.
Uni Blacks had played all over the Pirates in the first three quarters and led by 8 goals early in the last term. As the Blacks surged away from another centre clearance, Stepar chased down the ball carrier and laid the perfect tackle. He rammed the Blacks player into the turf and won a free kick. As the umpire set the mark everyone realised the Blacks player had yet to move following the tackle and was in a bit of trouble. The game stopped as an ambulance was called and the game delayed for about 20 minutes. As darkness descended on Apex Park, the game restarted and all of a sudden the rampaging Blacks team looked scared to go near the ball. No doubt worried Stepar would dish out another bone crunching tackle. The Pirates stormed back from the 8 goal deficit to get within a kick but unfortunately stopped what would have been an amazing comeback inspired by the Stepar tackle.
In a recent poll the tackle was named the second most sickening hit in Pirate history behind the “Powney Incident” v Bentleigh in 2003, but ahead of the “Bowen Double Hit” v Yarra Valley in 2000.
Three early losses in 2005 saw the coaching staff moves Stepar and Josh Davis moved from on the ball to a half back flank to try and sure up the leaky defence. Parso’s sure skills and calm head under pressure were a big part in the Pirates turning their season around and eventually making the preliminary final that year. In recent years Parso has left most of the hard running to younger legs but regularly comes off the bench to impact the game when the coach thinks the teams needs a hard nut around the football. Senior coach mark Glenn holds him in the highest regard “Stepar, loves his mates, loves the Pirates. Even in the late stage of a terrific career the way he still makes the opposition earn a kick, gain him respect from all. I love his attitude toward the opposition. A guy who’d you would definitely go to war with.”
Whilst exact numbers aren’t known he has probably missed less than 10 games across his 17 seasons. A remarkable achievement given his attack on the ball. Muzz told the Jolly Roger during the week that:
“To reach 300 games is a monumental achievement, especially considering the way he plays his footy. He loves the contest and enjoys laying a tackle as much as kicking a goal. A very good sledger on the field (think he learnt that from Ned Flanders)”.
Equally remarkable is Parso’s durability off the field. Over 17 seasons Parso has never missed one first year players night, vote count, mad Monday or football trip. His love of a night out and general Pirating has led a few of the younger Pirates to start referring to Stepar as “Peter Pan”. Jolly Roger editor Al Wood described Parso as “the perfect combination of toughness and good looks. It’s a diabolical combination that makes him a true weapon on the playing field and irresistible on the dance floor.” Muzz backed that summation up “Possibly the most committed Pirate on and off the field. Has missed less than 10 games in 17 seasons, can’t remember him not being at training, loves his Thursday nights and definitely would not miss a Pirate Function!”
Stepar’s loyalty to all that wear the blue and tan doesn’t just extend to the football field on a Saturday afternoon, he is happy to back his mates in any situation. In general the Pirates are lovers not fighters – ask Reed about his inability to fight off a 16 year old outside the Bay in 2003 - but Stepar is one of the few that can hold his own when things get willing. Payzey is one Pirate that has benefitted more than most from Stepar’s loyalty.
“When I was younger I tended to get a bit lippy after a few drinks, and given that I can fight like Garth that meant I needed someone backing me that could handle themselves. Regardless of the mess I had created for myself Parso has always been there to help me out. I would also like to thank him for housing 20 street signs in his shed for a few years after one vote count after party got a little of out hand.”
The Jolly Roger can reveal that medical reports show that Darren Booth is still suffering headaches following the 2005 “Smackdown at Jacks-town” when the Pirates and the Reglegs went toe to toe.
Pirate legends from near and far are effusive in their praise for Stepar with good mate and Pirate legend Andrew Atchison saying “For nearly two decades Iron Bar has toiled tirelessly for the Pirates as a backman, on-baller and general enforcer. Unlike many of his fellow Pirates, including me, he relishes the hard ball and is always more than willing to throw a surreptitious jumper punch and snipe opposition players when required. His ability to win contested position and fiercely compete at the bottom of the back has won him great admiration from his fellow Pirates. His ability with the ladies is also legendary......
I wish him all the best for his 300th game, a monumental effort, and testament to his commitment to preparation and training. Although not the most decorated of Pirate players, he is one of the most admired and respected among his peers and deserves every accolade coming his way. “
Another Pirate legend and hardman Eiv Bowen said this about Stepar…
“I had the pleasure of playing virtually all my career alongside Stevie P and can’t recall him letting us down. Ever. Inauspicious beginnings were spent in the Reserves, placing his golden locks in a ponytail and kicking Steve Kernahan/Rob Stainforth-endorsed helicopters. He kept working on his game and after about a season, he earned a promotion to the Ones and never looked back. While his kicking improved out of sight and he has dragged in the odd ‘hover’, it’s Stepar’s tackling that has been his trademark – and fittingly so. Strength, courage and determination are key elements of both tackling and Steve’s approach to his footy in general.”
“I loved playing with him because you knew what you were going to get. He’d do the job asked of him – whether that was charging off a back flank, getting dirty in the middle or putting the squeeze on an opposition player. I never heard him complain about the task set or any injuries he may have carried. A bit of tape or some bubble wrap seemed to get him close enough to 100%. His attack on the ball and the man made you want to go harder yourself.”
“It’s a credit to his adaptability and durability that he’s been able to reach 300 games and do so as a senior player. Steve loves playing with his mates, for his mates and all aspects of general Pirating. But enough words – my favourite memory of Step is the steely look in his eye as he runs out on to the ground and into a contest. Top work Von!”
The two other Pirates to reach the rarefied air of 300 games are Scotty Glover (313 Games) and Simon McMahon (308 Games). Both were effusive in their praise for Stepar and everything he had brought to the club.
“Congratulations on reaching your 300th. You have been an outstanding player over many years for the club and your loyalty has no equivalent. You have always put all your effort into every contest. You are admired by all for not only your footballing attributes which are significant but for being one of the best blokes to ever grace the pirate jumper. Well done mate, you deserve every accolade that comes your way this weekend” said Mc Mahon.
Glover said that Parso had been “a great servant of the club for a long time. I congratulate Parso on reaching the milestone and wish him all the best for Saturday. It would be great for the boys to bring home a win for him on his big day.”
No doubt Scotty will be watching the Pirates progress this season with more interest than most players because if Parso does play a full 18 games this season he will finish the year on 312 games. If we progress to the finals, Scotty’s club record of 313 games could be in danger!
On behalf of everyone at the club Stepar we wish thank you for your amazing contribution to the club over the past 17 season and wish you well for Saturday.
Now it is just up to the players to do the right thing by Stepar and give him the win he deserves on his special day.