The first home triple header invites hordes of ants both red and blue to take on your Animals with Preston and Bulleen-Templestowe visiting Bennettswood this weekend. Meanwhile the Thirds were finally found a ground to play at with Burwood Reserve the locale for their push to go 3-0 to start 2024 when they face off an old foe in St. Mary’s Salesian.

seniors: vs bulleen-templestowe - bennettswood reserve, 2pm

It’s mixed news for the Seniors after a rarely-shown accurate display secured an opening week win out east against Aquinas.

Captain Harry Davis is in for his 2024 debut and right back in to the engine room, with fellow midfield bull Hugh Schaeche announced to start this week. He will replace the classy Ethan “Pickles” Phillips in the middle of the ground.

The big loss is to their outside, where 2023 Division 3 Wingman Matt Hill set to miss the clash against a side the Animals haven’t played competitively since 2018.

There is good news however in his replacement, with Ben Collins coming back in after missing the opening round to help fill the gap left by Hill.

Up front, Nathan Bird is in for Sam Barrah in what is the only other change made this week.

The game will see not one, but two 50 game milestones brought up by Zac Durrant and James Moran.

reserves: vs bulleen-templestowe - bennettswood reserve, 11.40am

It’s a vastly different look for the Reserves from the last time they faced Bulleen-Templestowe in 2018. That day in early August saw the media man Geoff Koop have to take the field to make up the numbers.

Thankfully this time round he is absolutely nowhere near the 22, but three players from that day are in Adam Jopling, Joe Anker, and the elder of the Anthony Smith’s.

After an impressive outing last week, Harrison Jones has to miss this week, with Matthew Lewis stepping up from the Thirds to take his place.

Also stepping up from the Thirds is Louis Fasolino after a stellar performance last week on the streamed game at Bennettswood Reserve.

David Ray makes his Animals debut in the backline, and lines up behind Stavros Andronicos whom made his own impressive debut last week at the foot of the hills.

Jack Hernan is the other change, finding his way on to Gerard Clarke’s bench this week for the Senior Clarke’s Bennettswood debut.

WOMEN: VS PRESTON - BENNETTSWOOD RESERVE, 9.20am

The Women take on Preston for the third time in their last four games dating back to the end of the 2023 season. Preston were both the Animals last win and loss of that season, as the Animals won in Round 16 to secure their finals berth, before succumbing to a very different looking Preston side in the elimination final the following week.

Six changes have been made this week following the 8 goal loss at De La Salle with four making their Animals debut this weekend.

Rose Kennedy is the lone starter of the debutant group, with Tahlia Hill, Lulu McKewan, and Olivia Frost all making their debuts from the bench.

The biggest shake-up is in the backline, with experienced defenders Sam Hogarth and Emma Turner making their season debuts after missing last week, whilst the debutant Kennedy takes the place of Ash Curtis up front.

THIRDS: VS ST. MARY’S SALESIAN - BURWOOD RESERVE, 11.40AM

After last weeks successful despatching of Elsternwick, it’s mainly cosmetic changes made by the Thirds ahead of the short trip down the road to Burwood Reserve.

Bailey McCabe and Oskar Godde come in to the backline, which sees the mercurial Nic Glanville move to a more central role.

Daniel Thorson moves back forward after starting on ball last week, making way for Ben Kearns to begin the game at the centre bounce.

Vince Brigante makes his Animals debut off the bench this weekend, replacing Connor Rogers who misses due to injury.