Only one Animals side is left standing for season 2023, after the Seniors suffered a 79-point elimination final loss at Whitefriars College, against a well-drilled Canterbury side last weekend. Finishing in the top 2 at the pointy end of the year has paid dividends for the Reserves, whose nine-point loss to Richmond Central in Saturday’s qualifying final doesn’t spell the end of the finals campaign just yet.
On the preliminary final title card for the Animals this Saturday is Elsternwick, as both teams make the trek to Trevor Barker Oval for a 9:20am start. The ledger currently skews in the Reserves’ favour 2-1 after they beat them in rounds 7 and 13 of the home and away season to remedy their only loss against them in round 1.
Few changes have been made to the side who took to the field last week. James Rippon returns to the backline after spending time with the Seniors and will start at centre half-back, while Zac Durrant comes back in to start on a half-back flank. Rucking after too spending time in the ones is Sean Bourke and Dan Quattro makes his long-awaited return, beginning on the bench but will no doubt be into the action quickly.
With the possibility of a grand final berth on the cards, get down to Trevor Barker Oval to watch the boys in the blue and blue in action.
