Another pass mark for Wattle Park was round 10 of the 2023 season as the Reserves and Seniors took home wins against La Trobe University, while both the Thirds and the Women ultimately fell short against quality opposition.

The final quadruple-header is upon us for this year in an Animals v Cobras battle as we welcome Canterbury to face all four sides. The regularly scheduled programming of the Women at 9:20am, Reserves at 11:40am, Seniors at 2pm and Thirds at 4:45pm when all four teams are at home returns, so make sure to get down and support your favourite Animals for a big day. 

THIRDS: 

For the second time in two weeks, only one Davis will take the field this week as Sam Davis makes his return in the blue and blue for the first time since the Reserves elimination final of 2022, starting at centre halfback. Returning from injury after missing since round 6, Thirds vice-captain George Burgess comes back into the side into an already strong forward line, joined by the also returning Brendan Ellwood. 

RESERVES:

Leading goalkicker Matthew Price returns, after missing since round 7 due to injury, to a rather new-look Reserves side this weekend as Zac Durrant comes back into the backline, his last game round 3. On the bench, club vice-president Greg Rollo-Walker makes his appearance in the blue and blue for the first time since round 8 in the Thirds, Matthew Lewis after missing round 10, Padric Leevers in his Reserves debut, and Nick Rodway, who hasn’t played for the Animals since round 7 for the Thirds.

WOMEN:

A few key players return for the Women who will no doubt be looking to repeat their heroic efforts last time they faced Canterbury. Ashton Billing comes back into the side straight into the ruck after missing round 10, while Caity Power’s dash boosts an already strong forward line as she makes her first appearance since round 8. Starting on the bench is Thirds coach Gideon Sands for her second game of the year, and Bronwyn Slater, who returns after an injury in round 9. 

SENIORS:

It’s again changes aplenty for the Seniors side, with movement all over the ground. Both Tom Elliott and Jem Sibley will make their Seniors debuts as the backline and midfield rotations respectively, while Dan Hill will start on the bench in his first game in the ones this year. In the forward line, for his first Seniors game ever, James Nelson will start, and is joined by Isaac Waite for his first Seniors game this year.