Wattle Park edges closer and closer to a four-team clean sweep as the 2023 season continues, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be in round 9 as the Thirds suffered a defeat at the hands of Box Hill North. Victorious again were the Women against then ladder-leaders Preston, and the Reserves and Seniors against powerless Power House sides. 

But round 10 provides another opportunity for the Animals squads as they spread out all over Melbourne on the weekend. A wet Bennettswood Reserve awaits the Thirds, who get the prime 9:20am slot when they welcome top-of-the-table Whitefriars, while the Women make the trek to Lindsay Hassett Oval to face South Melbourne Districts in a rare 2pm outing. The Reserves and Seniors will take on La Trobe University at their usual times of 11:40am and 2pm at TS Sheehan Oval.

THIRDS:

Against a tough side, the Thirds will be boosted by the return of Nick Gunn to fullback after last playing in round 8, joining the Heydon brothers in Sam and Noah on the flanks who are both in good form. Cody Jager comes back into the side, starting in the forward line after also missing round 9. 

RESERVES:

It’s always at this stage of the season where it’s standard for teams to be in a state of flux and this week’s Reserves side is no different. After a strange couple of weeks with the Animals running out onto the park Davisless across the three men’s squads, a Davis of the Michael variety makes his long-awaited return in the blue and blue, his magnet placed at centre halfback. Adam Jopling returns to Reserves footy at fullback, while the on-ballers get the skillset of Sean Bourke, who slots straight into the ruck role. A rather new-look forward line compared to the past few weeks sees Ben Severin and Will Mayne starting deep inside 50.

WOMEN:

Nine rounds in and the Women are still naming names for the first time, with this weekend’s debutant Olivia Walker finally making her first appearance in the blue and blue after a couple of fantastic weeks on the training track. Blaire Preddey will make her long-awaited return to the side, having missed since round 4’s drought-breaking win due to injury, boosting the forward line with some extra height but will start the game on the bench. Emma Turner also comes back into the side, starting forward after not having played since round 6, with her ability to play everywhere no doubt likely to be a thorn in the Animals’ opposition’s side. 

For the first time, vice-captain Lilli Fogarty will run the team out onto the ground as captain.  

SENIORS:

A rather stable Seniors side has been named for Saturday, with only two changes being made to the winning round 9 squad. Seasoned Animal Tom Clarke returns to the team after some time in the Reserves, in a somewhat different role than his usual, beginning the game at centre halfback. Boosting an already strong midfield, Sam Barrah comes back in as the bench rotation after a run in the Reserves also.