It’s been an interesting couple of weeks for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team who found themselves shifted to Division 4 after spending the first five weeks of 2021 in Division 3, but the move has paid dividends this early on as the Animals came away with their first win for the year against Parkside at McDonell Oval in Northcote. Elsewhere, the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds suffered an unfortunate loss at home to the Old Camberwell Grammarians, while the reserves went down to Canterbury in a heart-breaking three-point loss at Canterbury Sportsground. In happier news, the seniors won their third game in a row, beating Canterbury by 18 points to keep their top two hopes alive.
If there was ever a day the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team should get their first win of season 2021, it was Saturday. And get the win they did. Melbourne provided some exceptional sunshine off the field as the Animals provided it on the field in a come-from-behind win for the ages that saw Assistant Coach Geoff Koop get teary-eyed as he and Head Coach Roy Fenton addressed their charges post-game.
But pre-game, the vibes were good as the Animals relished what felt like a new lease on life, suiting up to play their first game in a new division, and when the siren went to signal the start of the game, the atmosphere shifted. Known for their sluggish starts, Emmaus St Leo’s were anything but as they competed tough and hard at every turn. And it wasn’t long before the extensive drought was broken and club stalwart Brooke Bishop got the ball on her foot close to the goalsquare, kicking the first blue and blue goal of the season. Suddenly, everything felt possible.
Parkside went into the first break 4 points up after kicking two goals straight, but in the Animals’ quarter-time huddle, something was sparking. The second term was as much of arm-wrestle as the first, with both teams going goal for goal. For Emmaus St Leo’s, Mel Barlow kicked truly in the forward 50 to get her first goal ever in football, while Molly Tancred taught her teammates a few things about set shots as she sent one straight through the big sticks to see her team down by only 5 going into half time.
As the Animals walked off the field and into the rooms for the main break, the feeling was palpable. The energy was high, given they’d just played their best half of football for the year and still felt like they had more to give. In games past, third quarters have always been Emmaus St Leo’s best and it wasn’t any different on Saturday, as Shannon Harris was Animals-spirit personified, smothering a Parkside kickout in their defensive 50, resulting in a quick handball from Aisha Fairweather to Bishop, who kicked her second goal of the game. Despite their efforts, the Animals still went into the final quarter 5 points down after both teams kicked 1.2.
Third terms may be known as premiership quarters but it was the fourth where Emmaus St Leo’s put their foot down to leave the field winners for the first time in 2021. Tancred added to her goal tally, sailing one through the middle from another set shot, while Emma Johnson’s previous experience in front of goals had no bearing on the snap kick she tumbled through, kicking the sealer late in the quarter. There was some protesting from Parkside players that it was touched on the line, which delayed celebrations, but once the goal umpire signalled with both hands, the final nail was in the Red Devils’ coffin. With a minute to go, having clearly played one of the best games of her football career already, Bishop put her body on the line to smother a Parkside kick on the wing, and in doing so, ended the game bloody-faced on the bench. Aware that time was ticking, the Red Devils’ last attempt to get within a kick had them with a set shot, but much to their chagrin the final siren sounded. The Animals’ celebrations were muted until the ball hit the deck, ultimately falling short as those in the blue and blue ran from everywhere to get around their teammates.
This win was a long time coming for the Animals, whose whispered promise kept those invested in the team on the edge of their seats for each and every game they played. No one has ever doubted their potential and ability to get the job done, but to do it the way they did on the weekend was an incredibly proud moment for both the team and the club and will serve them incredibly well in the future.
Bridget Crowe at centre halfback was named best on for the winning side, playing out of her skin in a rebounding role alongside Eilish Wallace and Emily Kerr in defence. Tancred, Barlow, and Vic Holt’s work in the middle of the ground compounded the efforts of those behind the ball all day, with a surge mentality that quite obviously contributed to the Animals’ scoreboard pressure and subsequent defence of their lead, especially late in the fourth quarter.
A rousing rendition of Grand Old Flag could be heard from the rooms as those who knew the words sang loudly and proudly for the first time in a very long time, while the women inside the winner’s circle celebrated their first win at the club with genuine attempts at the lyrics, and some deserving yelling and cheering.