In 2021, Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club once again debuted four teams, who all ran out in the blue and blue (except for that one day where they all wore pink and the club collectively raised $18,744 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation) and played like Animals. In a season interrupted by COVID, to be able to get some footy in was nothing short of fantastic. To send the year off before the club begins its preparation for season 2022’s campaigns, let’s take a brief look at how all four teams finished in 2021. Next up is the Women.
Ladder position: 7th of out 8 – finished the season in division 4
Win/loss ratio: 1 win/9 losses
Summary of season: 2021 was a rollercoaster of a year for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team. With a divisional change midway through the season, the Animals were given a chance to reset as they made the switch to Division 4 from Division 3.
After spending their first weekend in their new home off the field due to an unplanned bye, the women took to McDonell Park for the round 7 clash with Parkside. Despite being down at every break, the Animals rallied in the final term after quite the four-quarter performance, notching their first (and what would eventually be their only) win of the season, 35-42. Brooke Bishop and Molly Tancred kicked two each, while Mel Barlow and Emma Johnson both managed one. In a shock to no one, Bridget Crowe took best-on honours.
Blue and blue best: In the divisional best and fairest, six Animals received votes, with Aisha Fairweather (3 votes), Mel Barlow (2) and Vic Holt (1) all polling in Division 3 before the reshuffle, while in Division 4, Bridget Crowe (4), Molly Tancred (3) and Bridget Monaghan (1) got on the board.
Crowe was the runaway winner in the club’s best and fairest, polling 47 votes and thus awarded the Fran Stephen Memorial Trophy after a late surge to pip Holt, who unsurprisingly took second spot with 23. Fairweather (21), Ebony Ratcliffe (17) and Barlow (14) rounded out the top 5, making it a first-year party as all players debuted in the blue and blue in 2021.
On Presentation Night, Ratcliffe was awarded Best 1st Year Player and Barlow crowned “Inner Animal”, while Taylia Hough was named Most Improved.
Goalkickers (top 6): Molly Tancred (4 goals, 10 games), Bridget Crowe (3, 9), Brooke Bishop (2, 6), Mel Barlow (1, 7), Aisha Fairweather (1, 6), Emma Johnson (1, 8)
Coach’s comments: In his third proper season, head coach Roy Fenton lauded his charges, loving their ability to never give in on game day despite the scoreboard. He thanks the 12-14 players who were consistent in their attendance at training, and specifically loved the attitude and playing ability of Vic Holt and Mel Barlow. The win against Parkside was ‘definitely’ his favourite part of the season.
Next year: After four years at the helm, inaugural women’s head coach Roy Fenton will hang up the boots, opting not to return to the role for the 2022 season. Much to the delight of the Animals faithful though, Fenton will still remain at club for the foreseeable future, with men’s head coach Ian Ledder eager to utilise his years of expertise.
The Animals will still call Division 4 home, and will look to 2022 under the watchful eye of new coach Allan Dunlop. Dunlop joins Emmaus St Leo’s with years of football experience both playing and coaching, and is eager to get started.