For their first away game of the season, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s side will be making the trek over to Ted Ajani Reserve to face Bulleen-Templestowe for the first time ever. Whilst the men’s team are no strangers to the ground, it’ll be a first-time visit for the Animalettes who are looking to score some much-needed points on the ladder after a less-than-perfect start to the season. Both teams are coming off first round losses, but a prolific win would be a huge percentage booster for the women in blue.
The new faces keep coming for Emmaus St Leo’s who are debuting two new players in round two. Shino Walsh and Collingwood VFLW’s Paige Nash will both play their first game in the blue and blue, and joining them for their first games of the season is Rhiannon Stute, Amy Ronchi, and Gab Biedenweg-Webster, another Collingwood VFLW listed player. These five changes from round one will no doubt look to increase run from halfback and supply to the forward line.
Starting back is Dee Burden, Claire Anderson and Brooke Chapman, with help from Biedenweg-Webster, vice-captain Sam Bridgland and debutant Walsh. Through the midfield, Ashleigh Morley, vice-captain Shanelle Blachford and Tara Ingham will be bolstering efforts by Bridget Monaghan in ruck, Stute as ruck rover and Caroline Simon doing the work as rover. Kate Fletcher and Soraya Jeans will start at the half-forward flanks with Ronchi and captain Sally Hood keeping her forward role for the second round. Shellby Lonie and Shannon Harris will both start deep in the forward 50 but will look to push up when needed. Nash, Sam Hogarth, Sheridan Harris and Delaney Morvell are set to start on the bench.
In unknown territory and facing an unfamiliar opponent, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team have the opportunity to prove to the rest of the competition just how good they can be. The intensity and effort at training has been second to none, so get down to Ted Ajani Reserve and watch the Animalettes translate that onto game day this Saturday! First bounce is at 11.40am.