The Thirds will be rather proud of their efforts against a tough Parkside outfit, despite going down by 78 points at Pitcher Park on Saturday. While it’s not a win for the Animals, there was much improvement after a less-than-ideal round three performance, and limiting a ladder-leading team on the scoreboard the way they did is something to be proud of. 

Especially in the wet, it was a hard slog for Wattle Park as they got off to a shaky start with the home side taking a 26-point lead into the first break, before increasing it to 45 at half-time. Matthew Lewis was a tiny sliver of sunshine for the Animals in the third quarter, kicking a goal to break the momentum just a bit. But it wasn’t to be for the boys in the blue and blue as Parkside ultimately ran away major winners. 

Lewis was the Animals’ only goalscorer, while Greg Rollo-Walker, Sam Cordy and Nick Rodway continue to leave nothing in the tank as the three best players in the blue and blue.  

WP 1.1.7

PAR 12.13.85

A sharp-shooting Reserves side has taken a 94-point win against Canterbury on the weekend, with twelve individual goalkickers getting in on the action. The Animals didn’t waste any time at all, kicking six goals to nothing in the first term as the home side were quickly left with many questions and zero answers. 

The Animals’ eight-goal third term certainly snuffed out any chance of a Cobras comeback, but it was their defensive work that was equally important as they limited their opposition to zero scoring shots to hand them a flat 100-point buffer going into the final quarter. A lessening of the foot on the accelerator from Wattle Park in the last term allowed Canterbury to kick four goals, but they still saw the footy enough to kick three majors to seal an already well sealed deal. 

Riley Thompson had a day out in front of goal with four majors in a best-on-ground performance. But sharing is caring if you’re in the forward 50 for the Animals, and captain Anthony Smith, Mitch Lamb, Connor Leevers, Matthew Price and Dan Quattro also contributed two each. Sneaky backman Nic Glanville also made the most of his opportunity at the other end of the ground, sailing one through before a team-wide celebration. 

WP 20.8.128

CAN 5.4.34

The Seniors will be left to rue a missed opportunity for three-from-three at Canterbury Sportsground on Saturday after going down by 24 points in a tight tussle. Seemingly on the back foot from the start, the Animals struggled to get their footing as the ball spent more time in Cobra hands, resulting in more scoring shots. A four-point buffer at quarter time turned into just a six-point deficit at the main break, as inaccuracy in front of goal from the opposition kept Wattle Park in it for the better part of the day. 

The second half of the game saw eight goals scored to just four, with the Animals their own worst enemy inside 50, kicking eight behinds as Canterbury ultimately ran out winners after converting more of their chances.

Ever the wall down back, it’s no surprise Baxter Newbegin takes top honours as best-on-ground, while Nathan Bird’s two goals gets him on the best player’s list. In his return game, Harry Davis makes an appearance, with Kieran Mair, Ethan Phillips and Bailey Hunt rounding it out. James Moran also managed two, while Phillips, Sean Drummond, Jonathan Greensides and Tom Hernan got on the scoreboard with one each. 

WP 8.10.58

CAN 12.10.82