Animals spirit will well and truly be all over Melbourne on Saturday as three out of four Emmaus St Leo’s sides fly the coop and travel away for round 4. The Thirds get to remain at home at Bennettswood Reserve and take on Whitefriars at 9:20am, while Hawthorn get to welcome the reserves and seniors to Rathmines Road Reserve for 11:40am/2pm starts. But it’s the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team who return to Albert Park for the second week in a row to face divisional-newcomers in AJAX at Lindsay Hassett Oval.
Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team are coming into this game off the back of three hard-fought losses, and despite being a sore and wounded group, are no doubt taking some momentum they gained against South Melbourne Districts into round 4. Though their effort is yet to yield the scoreboard result they desperately deserve, this weekend might very well be the day. For AJAX, they sit 3rd on the ladder, but come into this match ready for redemption after going down to Oakleigh by a goal in round 3.
Selection news for the Animals this week has Sam Hogarth starting at fullback, with Dee Burden and Eilish Wallace in either back pocket. Vic Holt will continue her red-hot form at centre halfback, and has Celine Khong and Bridget Crowe for company. Beginning the game in the ruck is Kiah Duncan, with Mel Barlow, Allie Lemchens and Emma Johnson ready to win the ball at her feet. Lilly Hutchinson and Susan Sohar will roam the wings, with Eleanor Tunley, Ebony Ratcliffe, Bridget Monaghan and Emily Kerr all starting at half forward. Deep in the attacking 50, Molly Tancred and Brooke Bishop will hopefully add some goals to the board. On the bench is Ash Morley, Sheridan Harris, Shannon Harris, Carla Varani, Ash Curtis and Amber Walker.
The Animals are away from home for their second game in a row and will run out onto the field a strong side, with enough confidence to get the job done. Their round 3 clash was everything it needed to be but a goal on the board, and if the feeling at training is anything to go by, it’s not very far away at all. Will the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team score a major? Is it finally time for the them to get their first four points on the ladder? Get down to Lindsay Hassett Oval at Albert Park to support your favourite Animal and find out! First bounce is at 11am.