A dominant display of fluid football and sound structure has seen the Animals Men send a message to the rest of Division 3 on Opening Day of the 2021 season.
The Reserves watched their flag raise, finally, before going and putting a resilient yet understrength Westbourne to the sword with back to back 8 goal terms in the middle of the game. The Seniors conceded the first goal, then never looked back in what was at times, a heated affair.
Only 5 of the premiership heroes from 2019 featured for the Reserves in Round 1, with another 4 going on to play seniors. However an ominous message was sent with a resounding 125 point demolition job. Anthony Smith returned to the Animals fold with 6 majors, whilst a best on performance from Guy Donovan was also capped with 2 of his own.
The second and third quarters were the making of the deficit, as the Animals piled on 16.6 to the Warriors 1.1, and making the most of the conditions which were at the best of times, sub-cyclonic. The Animals midfield wound up early in the second, and was not to be stopped again, creating numerous forward 50 entries.
New faces caused the Warriors issues, with Dan Quattro and Matt Price presenting additional issues up front, whilst the return of Bailey Hunt, Tom Wales, and Nic Glanville saw the side’s rebound from defence at times untouchable.
Only a wayward last term, 1.12, would dampen the win, but with 43 scoring shots, accuracy will be improved on less windier outings, and please first time coach Keegan Ledder.
The Seniors would continue the dominant day, but would do so on a different path.
The scoreline would suggest a lopsided affair, and at times the Animals experience in senior footy would show, but a strong defensive effort would be the cherry on top of a decent round 1 win cake.
The game saw the return of Premiership Coach Tom Clarke to the field after a sickening ankle injury in 2018. The man affectionately known as “TC” would sneak forward and dot two goals of his own in the middle of the game, bookending a moment that sparked concern from the Animals Family when he would roll his ankle.
Strong marking from Full Forward Jack Hunt laid the groundwork for what looks to be a strong season ahead, and his 3 goal effort will not be overlooked either.
Running wonder Matt Hill paraded around the Bennettswood Reserve wings with aplomb, slotting 3 himself, including a 50m bomb to cap off a 6 goal 3rd term.
The match hit a sour note when Westbourne captain Paul Hudson saw red for a late and high bump on debutant ruckman Mitch Burrows. Burrows would not return, and several spot fires would break out leading up to the half time break, but the animosity was left in the sheds as the Animals came out and predictably performed their best kicking to the pavilion end.
Accuracy eluded the seniors with 21 behinds, however one could argue they saw the worst of the wind on the day.
The match saw the debuts of 5 new senior players, with Kye Roberts the pick of the bunch, capping his introduction with a goal, and a performance captain Harry Davis was very pleased with post match.
Over in South Yarra, the Animals third male side would go down by 122 points at the hand of youthful and skillful MHSOB side.
Harry McConnell would kick the only goal of the day for the team, which saw the club debuts of 18 players, McConnell included.
It was a tough introduction to life for the thirds, but Coach Johnny Greensides had nothing but admiration for his side and the effort they showed against the side now favourite to claim the Division 5 title.
