Emmaus St. Leo’s Women’s side will have a third crack at the Division 3 after the VAFA released their 2020 Fixture.
The Animalettes will see familiar foes in Prahran Assumption, Oakleigh, Bulleen-Templestowe, and Swinburne University again, welcome new opponents in Parkdale Vultures and AJAX, and there will be the return of Powerhouse after a year away.
Newly appointed Women’s Assistant Coach Amy Ronchi was excited at the challenge staying in Division 3 gives the team
“Staying in Division 3 for the 3rd year is great for the team because it will give the girls some great competition and hopefully a shot at finals”
The Animalettes will open the year at home to Swinburne University, the only side they beat both home and away in 2019, and also a side they will meet this weekend in a practice match.
It begins a run of 4 home games in 5 to start the season, including opening the day’s play on Ladies Luncheon Day, something which Ronchi acknowledges is an important moment.
“The ladies luncheon is an important day for the club so having the chance to play before such an event is extra motivational for the team”
The only away game in that opening stretch is a trip to rivals Prahran Assumption, who Ronchi is excited to clash with again for a third year running.
“I’m excited to go up against Prahran again, they’re always a good challenge and I’m eager to see how the girls line up against them this year.”
The Animalettes finally got one over the Two Blues in their final home game of 2019, with a 3-2 win in tough conditions, and whilst the scoreline suggests a dour affair, it was anything but.
After the Ladies Luncheon game, a stretch of 4 away games in 5 then awaits Leo’s, including visits to new grounds in AJAX and Parkdale. Both sides were finalists in Division 4 in 2019, with AJAX defeating Parkdale in the Elimination Final, before going down in the Grand Final to a dominant Glen Eira side.
An even 2 and 2 split is left to end the year, with the final home game for the second year running featuring Prahran Assumption, whilst Round 14 sees Swinburne Uni bookend the Home and Away season.
All in all, only 4 “Triple Header” days await the Women in 2020, down from 5 in 2019, with Amy noting how important those days are for the club as a whole, both on and off the field.
“The triple header games are so important for the club as it gives all the players the chance to support each other and see the payoff for the hard work they’ve all put in at training. There’s nothing better than seeing Animals Hill full of the blue and the blue cheering you on.”
As mentioned earlier, the Animalettes will take on Swinburne Uni this weekend in a practice match, with their second trial against Premier C Reserve Grade winners Mazenod.