Three’s a crowd, especially when it comes to finals races.
The Animals Senior side is locked in a vicious threeway for two spots, and with only two weeks left in the 2019 VAFA Home and Away season, we’ve nearly arrived at the climax of the amateur footballing year.
For all three sides involved, winning is the only way to reach the finish line, and the first target in line is Parkside, where Emmaus started their Men’s season.
In what seems now at least two eternities ago, the Animals strolled into Alphington and delivered a solid performance which saw them run out 55 point winners at Pitcher Park.
That game was against a Parkside side who had just knocked off Richmond Central, and were riding the highs of making a splash post promotion. Since then however, it’s been less positive for the Red Devils.
No wins since Mid-May, and fresh off two straight byes, it would be easy to believe the side from the other side of the Chandler Highway would be lacking some momentum, however that would be foolish of the Animals to do so, with their last 5 losses all by less than 5 goals.
The Animals senior side have made minimal changes to the side with lost to Manningham last week, the first game dropped since Leo’s themselves returned from the dreaded double bye.
Kieran Mair and Bailey Hunt are injected into the starting sides, with some rejigging of the magnets seeing Lawrence Virgo shift from Fullback to Full Forward.
A senior debut has been handed to Zac Kearns as well, who will start from the bench.
For the Reserves, the demons of a close loss to a solid Manningham side last week will look to be exercised when they take on Parkside’s Reserves, who’s record matches their Senior counterparts.
Last time, the Two’s flexed their muscles early, recording a 119-9 victory at Pitcher Park. Jonathan Greensides kicked 4 goals that day, and will make his return since May 11 from injury.
But the big story of the day belongs to Tom Buick, who will run out on Past Players and True Blues Day for his 100th match in the Blue and the Blue.
With the two’s finals spot confirmed, the chance to lock away crucial structures and systems before September hits will be look to be taken advantage of as the Animals run out on Bennettswood for one final time in 2019.