This weekend, Bennettswood Reserve will be bathed in pink as the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club holds their sixth annual ladies luncheon and fundraise for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The aim this year is to hit the $100,000 mark in money raised over the years. Games-wise, proceedings kick off at 9:20am as normal, with the women’s team taking the field to face Power House, while the reserves and seniors welcome Richmond Central. Elsewhere at Frearson Oval at Monash University, the Thirds will take on the Monash Blues. In a first for the Animals, all four teams will run out in pink guernseys and pink socks to mark the occasion.
It’s been an interesting week in the land of the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, with news from the VAFA that they will moving down to Division 4 after the weekend, though their opponents remain the same in Power House, who will also be making the move with them. Both teams are coming into the game on zero wins after four rounds, with Power House only above the Animals on the ladder due to percentage. Redemption will be thoroughly sought after as this game is the perfect opportunity send an important message to both Division 3 and 4.
Head-to-head, Emmaus St Leo’s and Power House faced each other twice in the Animals’ debut season, with their first battle resulting in a draw, before Power House got one back at their home ground, downing the women in blue and blue by 19 points. It can be said though that both teams are vastly different in 2021, with this Saturday’s game set to be a fierce one.
In team selection news, Molly Tancred has taken the fullback duties, with captain Dee Burden and Eilish Wallace on her flanks. Lilly Hutchinson, Vic Holt and Sam Hogarth will start at halfback as Susan Sohar and Ebony Ratcliffe traipse the wings. Inside, Maddy Mazar begins in the ruck, with Mel Barlow, Emma Johnson and Aisha Fairweather at her feet. At half-forward, Celine Khong and Brooke Chapman stand either side of Bridget Monaghan, with Bridget Crowe, Allie Lemchens and Eleanor Tunley starting deep in the attack 50. Sheridan Harris, Shannon Harris, Ash Curtis, Kiah Duncan, Taylia Hough and first-gamer Megan Cheng will start on the bench.
It’s been a really tough first month for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, but despite some lapses here and there, their effort and morale has never wavered. After the weekend, there will be a whole new bunch of teams to face, so this game provides no better opportunity to begin the Animals’ 2021 season. Will the pink guernseys provide some luck? Who will be 2021’s first goalkicker? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve to support your favourite Animals and find out! First bounce is at 9:20am.