An historic round 14 for Wattle Park has seen the club’s first quadruple win, with all four teams getting the W on Saturday. The Thirds kick-started the day with a close contest against Box Hill North, before Swinburne University suffered terribly at the hands of quality Reserves and Seniors squads. To finish the day off strongly, the Women battled hard against an Elsternwick side under lights to continue their good form.
With round 15 upon us, it’s the last triple header of the year as the Women, Reserves and Seniors take to Bennettswood Reserve against De La Salle and Power House at their usual times, and the Thirds head down the road to Canterbury Sportsground to face Canterbury for an 11:40am start.
THIRDS:
Another full Thirds side has been named for the weekend, and will be boosted by the return of a few players, including two 2019 Reserve premiership heroes who will don the blue and blue for the first time in quite awhile. Adam Athorne will start on the back flank to provide some run off half-back, while Steve Jones injects some strength inside 50, his magnet at centre half-forward. Admirably, Alex Young comes back in and will man the wing after missing since round 8 due to injury and the midfield is to be boosted with the return of Paddy Leevers.
Vice-captain George Burgess will also take the field as captain for the first time this year.
RESERVES:
A raft of returns to the club has seen a few names make their way to the twos after appearances for the Seniors, with the backline boosted by both Mitch Lamb and Zac Durrant to the pocket and flank respectively, and Isaac Waite at half-forward. Flynn Normand takes control of the wing in his return game, while Matt Humphrey joins an already-strong forward line and Cam Price starts on the bench.
WOMEN:
A nearly-unchanged side will take the field for the Women this weekend, with vice-captain Lilli Fogarty the only difference from the round 14 team. The stability of the squad will no doubt boost the Women going into their second last game of the home and away season.
As both captain Ebony Ratcliffe and Fogarty are out of the team due to injury, first-year young gun Ashton Billing will take the field as stand-in captain.
SENIORS:
Some familiar faces come back for the Seniors this week, including the team’s utility in Bailey Hunt, who will start at centre half-forward after missing round 13 due to injury. The forward line is also looking slightly different with the return of Tom Hernan and Reece Luehman to the pockets. Animals stalwart Sean Drummond will start in the back pocket in his return game.