The scene is set for an incredible day at Bennettswood Reserve when Emmaus St Leo’s hosts its first triple header of the season this Saturday, with all three teams set to take on some new foes. The men will play Richmond Central, the reserves game kicking off at 11:40am and the seniors starting at 2pm, but it’s the Animalettes who will be taking the field first against Division 3 newcomers Swinburne University. Fresh off a 12-point win that saw the ladies gel on the field in a way they haven’t before to pull off a hard-fought four-quarter effort against the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team will look to consolidate the form that allowed them to hold on.
Swinburne are coming to Animals turf intent on righting some wrongs after losing their last match by 65 points against fellow new Division 3 team in the Hampton Rovers. Both Emmaus St Leo’s and Swinburne are sitting on 4 points with one loss and one win, with Emmaus St Leo’s perched in 4th position, just above Swinburne, on the ladder by percentage only. The season has already been full of teams winning by more than just a couple of points so it’s safe to say that a percentage-boosting win would be an absolute bonus.
At the selection table, Bec Herne, Sam Bridgland and Dee Burden are the last line of defence, with Delaney Morvell, Gab Biedenweg-Webster and Ashleigh Morley aiming to provide some run out of halfback. In the middle, Shino Walsh, Tara Ingham and Soraya Jeans will be boosted by efforts from Bridget Monaghan in the ruck, Shanelle Blachford as ruck rover, and Caroline Simon as rover. At half forward is Jess Evans, Rhiannon Stute, Amy Ronchi, and captain Sally Hood who will start further up the ground due to both Shannon Harris and Shellby Lonie sharing the deep forward line role, pushing up when needed. Rounding out the bench is Emily Kerr, Sam Hogarth, Maddy Hogan, Brooke Chapman, Sheridan Harris, and Paige Nash.
This game is set to be a cracker, with the Animalettes hoping to kick off another weekend of wins for Emmaus St Leo’s. Numbers at training have been impressive, but what’s been more impressive is the skills and how they’re consistently getting better, despite some wet weather. Hood is fresh off a 3-goal clinic that nobody’ll forget anytime soon, but will she kick some more? Will one of the Harris twins get their first goal for Emmaus St Leo’s? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve for a 9:20am start this Saturday and find out!
