Round four marked a 714-day drought-breaking win for the Wattle Park Women, who got over the line by twenty points against Canterbury, with the Reserves following suit in another high-scoring game. Unfortunately for the Thirds and the Seniors, the wins weren’t to be. 

It’s Bennettswood Reserve’s favourite time of the year this weekend for round five, where all four teams will wear the pink jerseys in a quadruple header for the club’s annual Mother’s Day ladies luncheon. With more than $100,000 raised in the years they’ve run the function, it’s arguably the biggest day of the year and Saturday will be no different. 

The Women are welcoming South Melbourne Districts, the Reserves and Seniors will face Hawthorn, and under the lights, the Thirds take to the field against Mazenod. 

THIRDS:

A rather stable Thirds side will take to the field on the weekend, hoping to get back on the winner’s list after a tough fight last week. In his first game of the year, and his first official game as president, Cam Gardner will start at half-back, while Animals’ favourite son Paul Baranello dons the jersey for the first time this season.

RESERVES:

Fresh off another massive win, the Reserves will field a similar side to hopefully continue their three-game winning streak, but will be boosted by the return of Sean Bourke in the ruck and Jacob Glare as rover. Jem Sibly comes back into the team for the first time since round two, starting on the bench.  

WOMEN:

With a check firmly in the W column for the Women, there are few changes to the side that got the job done. Chanelle Delarue returns to the side for the first time since round two and will start as the half-back rotation on the bench. Thirds coach Gideon Sands gets her day going a little earlier with an on-field job in her first game for the year, and will begin on the bench as the half-forward switch. 

SENIORS: 

A raft of changes to the Seniors side who went down on the weekend will hopefully see the Animals get back on the winner’s list. Elevated from the Reserves, James Rippon comes into the side, straight into fullback, while down the other end, Kieren Jenkins makes his return to the forward line, joined by Zac Kearns. Ruckman Tom Clarke slots back into the role after being out due to injury, his first game since round one. Missing round four due to injury also was Jess Goldsmid, who returns as the wing rotation.