Sights are set firmly on the second win of the season for the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds team as they travel to Elsternwick Park to take on an Elsternwick side searching for their first. The reserves and seniors will take on two Albert Park outfits who also no doubt have plans to get their seasons started with their first four points of the year at Bennettswood Reserve, while the women’s side are restricted to solely supporting duties as their first round in Division 4 is a bye.
It’s been a rough start to existence for the Animals Thirds side, who currently sit at 1-4 for the season. Their showing against the Monash Blues in round five was full of Animals spirit, but a 5.4 to 0.0 final quarter probably told the story of the day. It was worse news for Elsternwick though, who were comfortably beaten by 95 points to see them slump to 0-5 for the 2021 season.
At the selection table this week, captain Oscar McVann misses due to injury but a number of inclusions sets the Thirds in good stead for Saturday. Lachlan Thompson, Cooper Walter and Aaron Burrows will start at fullback while Ben Kearns, Nick Rodway and Matt Allan join them at halfback. Alex Lavery and Jeff Riordan are running the wings, while inside Jai Lamperd has Lachie Hicks, Tom Voogt and Matthew Lewis at his feet. Thirds-coach-extraordinaire Jonathan Greensides returns to the field in full forward, joined by Carlos Urbina, with Anthony Smith, Stan Grech, Sonny Dipietro and Jaxson Penny all starting high up half-forward. Beginning the match on the bench is Joe Caldow, Jonathan Bradley, Niles Sheridan, Sean Nathan, David Cowell, and finally, Greg Rollo-Walker, who could probably win the medal for the longest amount of time at the club without playing a game, makes his debut in the blue and blue.
This weekend gives the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds team the perfect opportunity to get back on the winner’s list as they face a team who can’t take a trick. Before you return to Bennettswood Reserve to watch the reserves and seniors, get down to Elsternwick Park and watch the Thirds kickstart the Animals’ day! First bounce is at 9:20am.