The Animals were unfortunately kept firmly caged when they made the trek over to the zoo-adjacent Brens Oval to face top-of-the-ladder UHS-VU, ultimately going down by 28 points despite some early ascendency in the first half.
With the knowledge the weather was likely to turn in the latter stages of the game, the Women started relatively strong, eager to get on the scoreboard quickly. The ball spent a majority of the time in the first quarter between the arcs as both teams struggled to get inside 50, with one forward push yielding what would be the Animals’ only goal of the year off the boot of Rhiannon Stute, whose consistent 2023 form continues. The second term left the home side with a few chances to get ahead as they kicked to the scoring end but they were unable to capitalise, with the Animals taking a 5-point buffer into half-time.
Like the other three Animals sides, the third quarter was where the game changed for the Women, as the weather conditions, losing first-year stalwart Jemima Clancy halfway through the second quarter to injury and a renewed purpose from UHS-VU left the Animals on unstable footing for the rest of the match. Few opportunities in front of goal gave the Women no way to get back on the scoreboard as their opposition managed three goals in the third term, before kicking two more in the fourth from a collective nine scoring shots across the half to seal the deal.
The usual suspects of Ashton Billing, Jas Ardern, Clover Hart and Lilly Hutchison round out the top four best players as they continue their impressive form, with Hutchison backing up her 2022 efforts and the three first-year Animals proving how integral they are to the side.
With four games left of the season going into the VAFA representative bye, the Women sit just outside the top 4 with five wins, seven losses and a percentage of 72.95%.
WP 1.4.10
UHS 5.8.38