The quirks of the 2024 VAFA draw mean that for one last time Bennettswood Reserve hosts a triple header this season. As such, the desire for three wins at home grows ever stronger after last week’s 1-2 split.
Three strong opponents make their way south this weekend in what is a flip of Round 3, with both La Trobe Uni and Brunswick FC rolling in to town. The only anomaly is the Thirds visiting Elsternwick, looking to keep their spot in the four.
thirds: vs elsternwick - holmes todd oval - 11.40AM
Jim Brady coming in for Riley Srey is the big inclusion this week as the Thirds look to keep the momentum rolling towards a maiden finals berth.
Brady slots straight in to a forward line bursting at the seems with talent flanked by best mates Cados and Cooko, whilst Jack Lindros also comes back in alongside Cam Muratore swinging forward.
Connor Rogers makes his long awaited return on the wing after an extended period out, with the Sketcher brothers also returning after a sojourn in the twos last weekend.
WOMEN: VS LA TROBE UNI - BENNETTSWOOD RESERVE - 9.20AM
Three is the magic number this week for the women as they look to make it three wins on the bounce against a side they’ll be looking to beat for the first time in three attempts.
It will also be Sarah “OG” Becker’s third game of the season as she comes in to help out in the backline along with Lulu McKewan who returns from illness.
It’ll be a case of third time’s the charm for former B&F winner Nyari Grzyb in her attempts to come back from illness in the forward line, with both Olivia’s (Frost and Walker) also joining her forward to create a forward-midfield trio.
reserves: vs brunswick fc - bennettswood reserve - 11.40am
The two’s look to arrest a run of form that has not been pretty, dropping four of their last five. So what better time to do it then against an undefeated, top of the table Brunswick which beat them by 101 points last time out?
Late changes have meant that two popular Thirds members Joe Caldow and Tommo Bent have been promoted to the Thirds, both making their debuts at that level.
It’s a reward for Caldow’s perseverance at the Thirds level, having played his previous 46 games at that level.
Moreso, already promoted Thirds cult heroes Junior Singh and James Greaves retain their spots in the side, and will flank Ben Severin across halfback.
Tall forward Connor Xipolitos comes back from the Seniors for the first time in 2024, having played his previous 8 games at the 2pm timeslot. His height and reach will be joined by fellow key forwards Jarrod Sandells and Jacob Mitchell.
seniors: vs brunswick fc - bennettswood reserve - 2pm
Four straight losses, including the last three insides two goals, see the Seniors drop back after their hot start to the season. A match up against a ego-bruised Brunswick may just be the tonic heading in to the second forced break of the season.
Six changes from last week’s side who allowed Elsternwick to snatch a win at home, with Sean Howard, Sean Drummond, Fletcher Cooper, Tom Ferguson, Stavros Andronicos all back.
Meanwhile David “Sugar” Ray makes his long awaited Senior debut, after a string of strong performances for the Reserves in 2024.
Him and Sean Drummond will look to sure up an Animals backline which has been miserly in 2024, only conceding over 100 points once (to the aforementioned Brunswick in Round 3).
Fletcher Cooper was a standout forward for the twos last week, so his promotion in grade sees him stay forward to provide some much-needed hops.
Howard, Ferguson, and Andronicos all come back via the bench, alongside President Gardner who keeps his spot in the Senior fold.
