A day of opposites down at Elsternwick saw the Reserves surge back in to the top two, but a rejuvenated Elsternwick senior side flipped the script to see the Animals seniors drop a third straight game.

Due to scheduling issues, the Reserves were “relegated” to the large confines of Elsternwick Park next door to Holmes/Todd and immediately began about making use of the space to jump out to a two goal lead at the first change.

The lead would then all but double in to the main break, as the Animals run and carry began to wear down an and dismay the opposition, but none would predict what happened next.

An 80-1 second half, including a scoreless third term for the “hosts” would signal to the remainder of the Division 3 Reserves competition that the favourites were back and ready to make a run for a third straight shot at a flag.

Dan Hill’s first game in a month was a laugher, as the mercurial small forward would kick a bag of 6, defeating Elsternwick on his own. He was ably supported by the rest of the forward line with Jimmy Nelson, Anthony Smith, and Matt Price all kicking two apiece, with the latter still top 3 in the league goalkicking.

A 7-goal final term was capped with returning backman Nic Glanville potting his now-characteristic “party time” goal with 30 seconds remaining to bring up the triple figure margin, and secure a near 14% jump in percentage, ahead of a trip to winless Swinburne Uni this weekend.

ELS 4.5.29
WP 20.14.134

G: D.Hill 6. H.Jones, J.Nelson, M.Price, A.Smith 2, S.Davis, Z.Durrant, N.Glanville, W.Mayne, A.Smith, C.Walter
B: H.Jones, S.Bourke, L.Hicks, D.Hill, Z.Durrant, J.Nelson

However, back on Holmes/Todd Oval, a new-look Elsternwick Senior side would flip the script, and dole out their own triple digit demolition.

Spencer Hankin still leads Caulfield Grammarians in their reserves with nine goals kicked in Premier A Reserves, and showed his class with 8 majors in the clash, proving a matchup too difficult to neutralise for the Animals backline.

Forwards Zac Kearns and Nathan Bird would bag two goals apiece, whilst tall forward Jono Greensides would also kick a major in a best-on performance by the Englishman, seeing his streak of kicking a goal in every game bar one this season continue.

Speedy utility Bailey Hunt would be forced from the game with a headknock, but was cleared of any serious injury later that night and will be free to re-join the side after his mandatory stand down period.

Speaking after the game, returning Vice-Captain Hugh Schaeche was less than impressed with how the side had performed.

“We weren’t able to execute our game style from the start of the match.” said Schaeche.

”Elsternwick were able to effectively shut down our ball movement from the back half of the ground, leading to many turnover opportunities for them to score.”

ELS 26.20.176
WP 7.9.51

G: N.Bird, Z.Kearns 2, J.Greensides, T.Hernan, E.Phillips
B: J.Greensides, J.Glare, N.Bird, G.Donovan, T.Wales, H.Schaeche