The history-making continues for the Wattle Park Women’s squad after getting the first ever back-to-back win in their existence on the weekend, also marking the first time they have won donning the pink and pink jerseys for round five’s annual ladies luncheon. Not ones to shy away from a challenge, the Animals faced a tough side in South Melbourne Districts, but ultimately ran away 29-point victors to kick off a big day for the club on a high note. 

A misfiring first quarter for both sides saw the Women take the slimmest of leads into the second term, where the first goal of the game was finally kicked. After consistent inside 50s for much of the game resulting in little to no score, a Nyari Grzyb snap kick from outside 50 landed the ball perfectly into the hands of Paige Hill, who had led expertly from the top of the goalsquare. Taking as much time as she needed, Hill sent the ball straight through the big sticks, much to the delight of her teammates who mobbed her in celebration. Another set shot to Rhiannon Stute further into the quarter saw the Animals into the main break up by 14 points, with the scoreboard arguably accurately reflecting the effort the Women had put in for the first half. 

With the foundations firmly set, the Animals came out in the third term with a point to prove. Much of the ball was spent in their possession as they peppered the goals, registering three behinds for their troubles, including one smacked into the post by Hill after gaining possession from the contest. The major finally came when Stute made another crafty lead and marked the contested ball, kicking true to register her second of the game. 

Kicking in the direction of the pavilion in the last quarter always provides that extra bit of intangible inspiration, and inspire it did. A mantra of ‘win the quarter, win the game’ was thrown around the third term break, and that was exactly what the Women did. With more inside 50s than they were able to capitalise on, the Animals’ fourth major of the game came in the middle minutes, where a free kick to Grzyb allowed her to kick a goal in front of her parents, who hadn’t been able to see her play in two years. Evening out the other side of the ground, an Ashton Billing shot at goal smashed into the post to give the Women their final score of 4.8.

With the ball spending quite amount of time in the defensive half of the ground, the Animals backline had their work cut out for them, but limiting their opponents to just one behind for the final twenty minutes gave their side even more to celebrate than just the win.

After her two-goal performance and a dominant display on the half-forward line, Stute takes top honours as best-on-ground, while the usual brigade of Elli Haylock, Clover Hart, Jemima Clancy, Billing and Hill round out the top 6. 

Five rounds into the season, the Women are sitting fifth on the ladder with their two wins, three losses and a percentage of 61.21%.

WP 4.8.32

SMD 0.3.3