Round five was a huge day for Wattle Park AFC off-field as they hosted their massively successful annual ladies luncheon to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Bennettswood Reserve was filled with a few of the Animals’ favourite women, many yo-yos were sold and consumed and laughs were had in celebration. The celebration continued on-field for the Women, who got their second win in a row and their first ever wearing the pink jerseys, as well as the Reserves and Thirds leaving the ground victorious. Unfortunately for the Seniors, they fell just short in the final term.

It’s hard to believe that round six is already upon us but alas it is, and with it, brings a few changes to all four sides. The Thirds travel away after finishing the quadruple header under the lights last week, heading to Whitefriars College Oval to face ladder-leaders Whitefriars. It’s another home triple header for the Women, Reserves and Seniors who will welcome Old Carey and Swinburne University respectively.

THIRDS: 

A rather similar Thirds side will take the park on the weekend, bolstered by the return of stalwart Reserves backman Fraser Walker, who pulls the blue and blue on for the first time this year, unsurprisingly in defence and will be joined by Cody Jager, who makes his debut for the club.

RESERVES:

The ladder-leading Reserves have once again made a raft of changes to the side that dispatched their opposition by 80+ points for the third week in a row. Kieren Jenkins comes back into the side at centre halfback role, joined by Liam Elso and Tom Wales who also make their return to the backline. Third-year Animal Cooper Walter makes his debut in the side after performing well in the Thirds and will start on the bench, as will Jack Hernan who pulls on the jersey for the first time since round one, while up forward, Matt Humphrey once again takes to the field after missing since round three.

WOMEN:

With a couple of wins in the bank, the Women are back in the business of debuting some fresh faces, and in doing so, are moving a few of the magnets around the board. Emma Johnson moves to fill the fullback role, while Jemima Clancy shifts from halfback to the middle as rover and Maddy Mazar to the half-forward line. Four new faces join the squad this week, with Amber Jackson-Pyne and Chloe Hulme beginning their lives as Animals on the bench, and Poppy O’Shea and Alayna MacKirdy joining the forward line. 

SENIORS: 

A few returning faces join the Seniors this weekend as they look to get back on the winner’s list. After stringing together some good performances in the Reserves, both Sam Argus and Lawrence Virgo make their return to boost the backline. First year Animal Connor Xipolitis has been rewarded for his consistency and will officially make his debut for the Seniors, starting on the bench as the midfield rotation.