Another history-making weekend for Wattle Park was round 15 as they followed up their first ever quadruple win with their second in a row. The Women kicked off proceedings at Bennettswood Reserve, gallantly wiping their hands of De La Salle, while the Reserves made sure the power was well and truly off with a win over Power House. At the same time, the Thirds were winning a low-scoring contest at Canterbury Sportsground, before the Seniors finished the day as winners in their own battle with Power House.
An action-packed round 16 awaits as the Thirds hope to finish off their season with a bang against Mazenod at Central Reserve at 9:20am, while the Women hold their destiny in their hands as they aim to solidify their first ever top-4 finish with a win when they travel to W. R. Ruthven Reserve to face Preston at 11:40am.
For the Reserves and Seniors, and with finals on the cards for both teams, two strong wins against La Trobe University will go a long way to finishing the last few home and away games at the peak of their powers.
THIRDS:
The Thirds are bolstering the stocks in their last game of the year, with club legends Jonathan O’Connor, Paul Baranello and Nathan Baranello donning the blue and blue to close out the season. O’Connor will ply his trade in the ruck as tradition, while centre half-forward has former club treasurer Baranello’s name all over it, though he will undoubtedly find himself all over the ground like no time has passed, and former club president Baranello starts on the bench but will be thrown into the action as soon as possible. Captain Joe Caldow returns to the forward line and Jordy Rodda rejoins the backline for the final time in 2023.
RESERVES:
A similar-looking Reserves side will take the field on the weekend, with only a small number of changes made to a squad who disposed of their opponents by 80 points. The backline sees both Tom Elliott and Harrison Jones return to the pocket and flank respectively after missing the last few games, while Cooper Walter makes his return from concussion and starts on the bench. A notable positional change has club president Cam Gardner’s magnet on the wing.
WOMEN:
For the final time in the home and away season, the Women will run out onto the ground, and with minimal changes from previous weeks, but majorly important inclusions. Sam Hogarth returns from her European getaway just in time, starting in the back pocket to provide some extra cover down there with the loss of Emma Johnson, who misses this week. Both captain and vice-captain also return for the vital clash, with Ebony Ratcliffe moving to full-forward in a new role, and Lilli Fogarty back at her second home, also known as the wing.
SENIORS:
A well-settled Seniors squad sees only two changes for their match-up this weekend as captain Harry Davis returns after extended time on the sideline due to injury and is straight into the midfield. Great form in the Reserves has been rewarded with Jem Sibley coming back into the side, and will start as the midfield rotation, which moves James Moran to the forward rotation.
