It was the usual early start for Wattle Park AFC on the weekend as the Thirds took the field at 9:20am, kickstarting a mammoth day for the Animals faithful, with four full games against Elsternwick and two functions.
An early goal to Brendan Ellwood in the first quarter was the only score for the home side as Elsternwick kicked ahead to take their only lead of the match into the first break.
Officially awake, the Animals remembered their goal kicking ways, kicking ten more majors for the rest of the match and limiting their opponents on the scoreboard to get their first win of the season.
Ellwood did what good full forwards do, and finished the match with three goals to his name, whilst Connor Leevers and Nick Rodway kicked two each, but it was Scott McCarney’s work in the middle that got him best-on-ground honours in his first game in the blue and blue.
WP 11.7.73
ELS 4.5.29
Fresh off a grand final appearance in 2022, collectively the hopes are high for the Reserves this year, and with a primetime 2pm slot, there was no better way to kickstart the season.
Unfortunately for the Animals, the footy gods didn’t get the script. Both teams got off to a good start in the first half, with the scoreboard healthily ticking over despite the not-so-glorious weather.
The third quarter began with Wattle Park just one point down, but that was when the cracks start to show ever so slightly as Elsternwick’s two goals ultimately gave them a lead the Animals didn’t come back from.
Dan Quattro kicked three majors to continue his brilliance inside 50. In his 50th game for the club, Baxter Newbegin was named best-on, as his move to the forward line proved fruitful enough with one goal on the board. Harrison Jones’ first-game performance, including a goal, also got him on the best players list.
WP 7.5.47
ELS 9.8.62
4:45pm is normally clock off time for the Seniors but under Bennettswood Reserve’s new lights, it was game time.
It was a tight tussle throughout the whole game, with the Animals’ inability to convert inside 50s into goals costing them a larger lead. Wet weather wreaked havoc on clean ball movement for both sides and with only seven goals kicked between them, it was Wattle Park who took the three-point buffer into half time.
After much of the same in the third term, the deficit was just two points going into the final quarter, which provided the Animals with the perfect opportunity to keep those ghosts from games past at bay and stamp their authority on a game they arguably would have lost last year.
The last two minutes of the game had everyone on the edge of their seats and whispering ‘I hate footy’ while meaning the complete opposite.
Much to the delight of the Animals Family who had congregated on the pavilion, the Seniors held on for an eight-point win. Under constant pressure, the backline stayed strong to hold off an Elsternwick push.
Understandably, Hugh Schaeche was named best-on-ground, with his work all over the ground instrumental in the Animals coming out on top, not to mention his two snags. Backman Joden Crothers also didn’t have to wait too long to get his annual goal from 50, and was crucial down back, while Tom Hernan’s first game as an Animal warranted a mention in Wattle Park’s top 6 best.
WP 9.16.70
ELS 9.8.62
This weekend the Thirds remain at home at Bennettswood Reserve for a 9:20am start, where they welcome Therry Penola, who are coming off a terrible loss in round one.
The Reserves and Seniors are off to their first triple header of the year, taking on Power House at Ross Gregory Oval at 11:40am and 2pm respectively, following the Women who start at 9:20am. Power House go into round two with wins on the board for both teams.