RESERVES

Four goals from a first-year Animal were unable to drag the Reserves over the line against Hawthorn on the weekend, suffering a 12-point loss at Bennettswood Reserve in the final home and away match of the year.

It took eight minutes for the first goal of the game to be scored, when Hawthorn jumped on an off-target switch kick in the Animals’ defensive 50, as both teams’ backlines held up strong for the better part of the first. Transition footy from the Reserves’ back half saw James Nelson on the end of a possession chain, kicking his first, and the team’s first, goal of the day, fourteen minutes into the quarter. Despite an expert centre clearance from Jem Sibley ending up in the hands of Sam Barrah, who delivered truly to Anthony Smith in the forward line for the Animals’ second goal, they still went into quarter-time break nine points down.

A lull in proceedings in the second term saw just one goal scored in 25 minutes, as Matthew Price kicked the quarter’s only major, with 30 seconds left after repeated inside 50s from the Animals. A seven-point deficit at the start of third term saw the arm-wrestle continue well into the second half of the game as both teams tidied up their form in front of goal. 

Wasted opportunities in the fourth quarter were arguably the difference, as the Animals kicked three goals from six scoring shots, while Hawthorn kicked four from the same. Much of the Reserves’ inside 50s began in the backline, with their ability to move the ball quickly between the arcs through spread leaving Hawthorn on the back foot, but a strong backline kept scoring limited. Final majors from Nelson, Smith and Price rewarded the forward press the Animals kept up for much of the game, but ultimately couldn’t get them the win. 

Nelson’s four goals were a best-on-ground performance, with Nic Glanville, Ben Severin, Cam Gardner, Sam Davis and Greg Rollo-Walker rounding out the best players list. 

At the end of the home and away season, the Reserves finish second on the ladder with their thirteen wins and five losses. 

WP 9.8.62

HAW 11.8.74

SENIORS

A high-scoring affair at Bennettswood Reserve has seen the Seniors beaten by a misfiring Hawthorn side on Saturday, as they went down by 29 points in the last home and away game of the season, despite having three players kicking 13 goals between them. 

Nine goals from 18 scoring shots to the opposition, who took a 45-point buffer into the first break, had the Animals contingent in the pavilion concerned, with flashes of brilliance from the returning Nathan Bird inside 50 one of the only real shining lights of the term for the Animals. 

But calm, collected and panic-less words from the coach at quarter time kicked the Seniors into action as they got back to their best in the second term. Uncharacteristically, the Animals were seemingly unable to miss in front of goal as they simultaneously piled on eight majors and clipped Hawthorn’s wings at the same time. Groundball pickups, clean midfield clearances and smothers on the mark all allowed the Seniors to get within ten points at half-time as they used their structures to their advantage, with three goals each from Bird and Matt Hill handy too. 

The footy gods had other plans in the second half though as the away side slipped to a 23-point lead, while the Animals kicked just two goals from seven scoring shots. Traditionally final-quarter specialists, the Seniors found their extra gear, taking advantage of their opportunities at every turn. But Hawthorn ran with them for the last term, and despite kicking 6.2 in the direction of home, the Animals ultimately couldn’t get the win. A checkside goal to Guy Donovan right in front of the Wattle Park crowd and a set shot for Hill after getting rewarded for a rundown tackle were highlights in a quarter that undoubtedly sets them in good form for the coming finals. 

Ruckman Sean Bourke took top honours as best-on-ground, with Jess Goldsmid, captain Harry Davis, Hill, Tom Clarke and Kieran Mair rounding out the list. Nathan Bird finished his return game with five goals, while Baxter Newbegin and Hill both finished with four each. Donovan and Zac Kearns had cameo roles with two each. 

With 14 wins and seven losses, the Seniors finish the 2023 season fourth on the ladder.  

WP 19.8.122

HAW 22.19.151

Finals begin this weekend, with both the Reserves and the Seniors in action on Sunday at Whitefriars College. For the Animals family, it’ll be a whole day affair, starting at 9:15am for the Reserves’ first bounce, the Seniors following at 11:45am.