THIRDS:

Facing the ladder-leaders was always going to be a tough ask for the Thirds, who ultimately went down by 104 points at Whitefriars College Oval on Saturday. Whitefriars were out of the blocks quickly in the first term, establishing a lead of 20 points going into the first break, before they put their foot down in the second. Zero scoring shots to the Animals made it hard as their opponents kicked four goals from their seven to keep them at more than an arm’s length for the second half of the game. A seven-goal third term for the home side put the Animals away, despite them getting one on the board against the flow. The final term saw the margin jump out past 100 points despite the whole team’s efforts. 

Goals to Joe Anker and Alex Young provided some sunshine on what was an otherwise dreary day for the Thirds.

It was the usual suspects who were best-on-ground for the Thirds, with Jordy Rodda the clear favourite to take top honours and joined by the president, vice president and secretary in Cam Gardner, Greg-Rollo-Walker and Anker. Rounding out the best players were Sam Cordy and Nick Rodway, who have both quickly become anchors for the Animals this season. 

With three wins, three losses and a percentage of 96.84%, the Thirds sit sixth on the ladder at this stage of the season. 

WP 2.1.13

WHI 18.9.117

RESERVES:

It was another day at the office for the Wattle Park Reserves, who notched their fifth win in a row taking down Swinburne University by 87 points at Bennettswood Reserve. A five-goal-to-nothing first term set the stage for the Animals, continuing the expert execution of structures and gameplan that has seen them excel in the first part of the season. Miskicking in front of goal arguably kept the away side in it, but the boys in the blue and blue continued applying the pressure in the second quarter to take a 46-point buffer into the main break.

Just two behinds from their opponents in the third term really told the story for the Animals, whose strengths are all over the ground and not just in their ability to get goals on the board despite kicking three behinds of their own. But five final-quarter goals from eight scoring shots was the cherry on top for a team who appear to not know how to lose. 

With another bag of five goals, Matthew Price unsurprisingly tops the best player’s list for his efforts, while Sean Bourke’s ruck work sees him also make an appearance. In his first Reserves game for the club, third-year Animal Cooper Walter is rewarded for his performance and is joined by Jacob Glare, Harrison Jones and Ray Kuhnell rounding out the list. The dynamic forward duo of Dan Quattro and Anthony Smith were back at their best with four and three goals respectively, while Lachie Hicks got on the board with two of his own in front of a few vocal supporters. 

The Reserves are still sitting top of the table with their five wins, one loss and percentage of 251.23%, undeniably the best side in the division, six rounds into the season. 

WP 16.16.112

SWI 3.7.25

SENIORS: 

It was about damn time for the Seniors to get back on the winner’s list, and get back on the winner’s list they did with a 123-point smashing of Swinburne University on the weekend. With five goals to two in the first quarter, the Animals were out of the gates quick, leaving their opposition in the dust to take a 24-point lead into the first break. A misfiring forward line for the boys in the blue and blue kept the door ajar slightly, but 13 scoring shots to just one in the second term arguably sealed the deal for Wattle Park, who went into half time with a buffer of 61 points.

It went from bad to worse for the away side in the third quarter as the Animals piled on seven goals from another 13 attempts to take the margin over 100 points before the three quarter-time siren. Due for a big win, Wattle Park continued on their merry way in the fourth term with another five goals to really re-announce themselves in Division 3.

Five goals from Tom Hernan, a first-year Animal who has slid into the Seniors forward line seamlessly this year, seems him on the best player’s list, while Matt Hill’s three-major performance was enough to get him top honours. Rounding out the six best was Guy Donovan, Sean Drummond, Harry Davis, and Baxter Newbegin, who snagged two of his own goals sneaking forward. The goalkicking party consisted of seven other players, with Zac Kearns (3), Jonathan Greensides (2), Tom Clarke (2) and James Moran (2) the other multiple goalscorers on the day.

At this stage of the season with three losses, three wins and a percentage of 132.51%, the Seniors sit fifth on the ladder. 

WP 22.25.157

SWI 5.4.34