Bennettswood Reserve is once again home to Animals footy this weekend, as the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team take on the Hampton Rovers to get their season kickstarted, while the men’s Thirds get to the play their first ever game on home turf. The seniors and reserves are travelling away to face Parkside at Pitcher Park.
Hampton will be looking to consolidate after starting their 2021 season on the right note, down the Oakleigh Krushers in what could have been more of a blowout had the Rovers capitalised on their forward 50 entries, finishing the game 4.13.
For the Animals, last weekend wasn’t the start they wanted, going down to the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants 0.0.0-9.15.69. Their second half was infinitely better and it’s that form they’ll look to take into Saturday’s game. Head-to-head, the Rovers are up 2-0 after two relatively convincing wins against undermanned Emmaus St Leo’s sides in 2019.
On the selection front, five Animals will make their debut in the blue and blue, which is a far cry from the 16 who debuted last week.
Kiah Duncan is the one who is unlucky to miss, while Dani Burton is out for precautionary reasons, Lilli Fogarty misses with the fractured collarbone she suffered in the second quarter of the round one game, and Bec Herne with an injured shoulder.
Ash Curtis and Dee Burden will start either side of Eilish Wallace, who is fresh off a best on ground performance in her debut game for Emmaus St Leo’s. At halfback, Vic Holt is flanked by Lilly Hutchinson and Mel Barlow, with Susan Sohar and Emily Kerr sharing the wings.
In the middle, Molly Tancred will take ruck duties with Sheridan Harris, Ash Morley and first-game player Allie Lemchens at her feet. Ebony Ratcliffe will start at half-forward, and is joined by first-gamers Aisha Fairweather and Bridget Crowe, while Celine Khong makes the switch to forward pocket with Brooke Bishop on the other side, and Bridget Monaghan returns for her first game in 2021 at full forward.
Beginning the match on the bench is Shannon Harris, Maddy Mazar, Sam Hogarth, and Taylia Hough, with Eleanor Tunley and Maria Aloisi for their first games in the blue and blue.
For their second home game in a row, the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team will run out onto the field confident in their abilities after regaining some form in the second half of their last game. Despite not getting scoreboard-reward for their efforts, their Animals spirit never waned and sets them in good stead to take on the Hampton Rovers.
Who will be the first Animals goalkicker for 2021? Will the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team get their first win of the season, against arguably the best team of the division? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday and find out. First bounce is at 9:20am.
