THIRDS:

The Thirds were unable to complete the club’s quadruple triumph over Elsternwick in the last two weeks, going down by 46 points at Holmes/Todd Oval on the weekend. It was a valiant effort from the Animals who kept peppering away at the scoreboard, despite the 20-point deficit they took into both quarter time and the main break. 

One goal in the second half arguably isn’t an accurate representation of the effort put in by the boys in the blue and blue, but leaves the squad with the ability to bounce back healthily after the King’s Birthday bye. 

Club president Cam Gardner continues his impressive form to take best-on-ground honours, joined by Jordy Rodda, Lachlan Killeen, captain Joe Caldow, Dylan Jacob, and multiple-goalscorer Darby Allen. Brendan Ellwood and Sam Cordy both managed to get on the scoreboard with one major each. 

At this stage of the season, the Thirds’ three wins and five losses have them sitting just outside the top 4, with a percentage of 79.28%. 

It must also be mentioned that, fortunately, Thirds player Alex Young is doing well after the events of the day. 

WP 4.8.32

ELS 12.6.78

RESERVES:

A Sam Barrah goal in the dying seconds of the Reserves’ clash against fellow cream-of-the-crop Richmond Central has seen Wattle Park take the chocolates by just three points at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday. Down at every break, the Animals had an answer to every question posed by their opposition, and then some, despite the away side launching out of the blocks with eight scoring shots to three in the first term to be up by ten points going into the second. 

Arguably unchallenged since their round one loss, the Reserves struggled against Richmond Central as they were kept at arm’s length for much of the game. Two goals to both teams in the second quarter, and then the third, meant they were getting closer but not close enough, until a rousing three-quarter time huddle kicked the Animals into the next gear. 

With the scoreline seesawing in the last few minutes of the fourth term, the Animals put together one of their finest bits of play to show their final hand, a chain of possessions from halfback gifting the ball to James Nelson, who marked right at the edge of the centre square. Aware that time was ticking, he immediately turned and handballed into the path of Barrah, who then collected the ball, sidestepped a diving opponent, and kicked for goal. Those on the pavilion waited with bated breath as the ball seemingly bounced for an eternity as another diving Richmond Central player tried his luck on the goal line. But the footy gods had it scripted already, and players and supporters alike erupted in celebration as the goal umpire finally signalled.

Three-goal hauls to forward-extraordinaires Jonathan Greensides and Anthony Smith in the absence of key player Matthew Price were huge for the Animals, while Dan Quattro’s two and Nic Glanville’s sneaky one round out the goalkickers. While his match-winning goal surely contributed, it was Barrah’s work all over the ground that gets him a mention in the top 6 best, joined by the usual suspect Ray Kuhnell, backman Tom Elliott and the rather unfamiliar Reserves players of Jem Sibley and Matt Humphrey, and club secretary Joe Anker.  

After the 1 v 2 battle, the Reserves sit safely one game clear on top the ladder with their seven wins and 1 loss, their percentage a hefty 202.70%.

WP 10.10.70 

RC 10.7.67

SENIORS: 

Third quarter dominance has allowed the Seniors to get over the top of a competitive Richmond Central side by 17 points on the weekend. Following the adrenaline rush of the Reserves win minutes before, the Animals came out firing, eight scoring shots to just four to be ahead at the first break. But lapses in focus in the second term and no goals allowed the away side to slightly get ahead.

Whatever was in the half-time cordial worked for Wattle Park, who came out of the main break an entirely different beast. A quality third quarter saw the Animals move the ball impressively well, and six goals from 11 scoring shots obliterated the slight buffer Richmond Central had, with the 35-point turnaround sky-rocketing the home side ahead on the scoreboard. Not even a late rally from the opposition, who looked solid in the final term after a couple of early goals, could stop Wattle Park from running away winners. 

Three goals from Kieren Jenkins has strengthened his spot in the Seniors squad, while two each to Zac Kearns, Nathan Bird and Tom Hernan has shared the goalkicking load around nicely. But it was Bailey Hunt’s performance, including a goal, that has seen him take top honours as best-on-ground, rounded out by Joden Crothers, Guy Donovan, Kieran Mair, Hernan and Matt Hill. 

Going into the King’s Birthday bye, the Seniors sit just inside the top 4 with their five wins, three losses and a percentage of 132.70%

WP 12.15.87

RC 10.10.70