As we turn for home with all the byes behind us, the end of the season looms large on all, and for some, a lot closer.
The Thirds sit will entrenched in a three team battle for two spots in the top four, whilst the Women, Reserves, and Senior Men all find themselves on the outside looking in as the season reaches a hasty conclusion.
The Animals are split across three grounds at three different times, with the Thirds holding down the fort at Bennettswood as the Women and Reserve and Senior Men head off on travels both north and east.
thirds: vs masala Dandenong - bennettswood reserve - 11.40am
It’s a Davis party in the Thirds as Jarra is joined by his family in the forward line for what looms as a vital clash in securing a maiden finals spot for the team.
Bailey, Cooper, and Stuart Davis all line up with Jarra, with non-Davis’ Caden MacDonald and Anthony Smith also lining up forward.
Due to disciplinary action, Riley Srey has been sent to the backline, with coach Checkers strong in his message to the clearance king after he broke team protocol on Thursday night.
Srey forms part of a formidable back 6 which features the likes of Dan Thorson, George Burgess, and Michael Allen.
On the wing, Harry Brown (better known as RoamingHaz) will make his Animals debut on the wing to help provide some run alongside Jordy Rodda who will look to continue his stellar 2024 season.
women: vs parkside - pitcher park - 9.20am
Changes aplenty as the Women turn for home, needing a run similar to last season to once again sneak a spot inside the Top 4, in the Women’s first trip back to Pitcher Park since 2022, where only four of this week’s side featured.
Emma Ferrall, Leesa Guastella, and Georgie Dillon all move to the backline to help play vital roles in tightening up the back 6. Charlotte Norton also makes her return to the side and will line up at fullback.
Olivia Frost moves on to the ball to start the game, with Emma Turner moving up the field to flank the on-ballers on one wing, whilst Nadine Pietsch returns after a significant lay off to bring her energy and enthusiasm to the other side.
Heidi Lawrence also makes her return to the team from the bench.
reserves: vs whitefriars - whitefriars college - 11.40am
The Reserves return to the ground where they suffered a tight qualifying final loss last year, looking to exact revenge on a Whitefriars side who held them to only 2 goals earlier in the season.
The return of captain Anthony Smith from holiday will go a long way to reversing the fortunes, playing his first game since Round 8. He’s joined by club president Cam Gardner who returns from a stint with the senior side.
Alex Luttrell, Josh Mancusi-Thomas, and Fletcher Cooper all return to the Reserves fold and will feature up front this week for a forward line which has not kicked more than 10 goals since mid-May.
Down back, Mason Laursen returns after an extended break, whilst Cam Price drops back from the Senior side in what are the only changes for the backline.
seniors: vs whitefriars - whitefriars college - 2pm
Minimal changes for the Seniors this week as the search for a long-awaited win continues. A five game losing streak which dates back to the end of May has seen the Seniors hot start cool off.
Sam Davis, Sam Barrah, Tom Ferguson, and Connor Xipolitos all return to the fold this week.
Davis missed the previous match, and slots in to a backline which did manage to keep the high-scoring Brunswick offence under 100 in their previous outing. David Ray keeps his spot in the Seniors after a strong debut before the rep bye.
Sam Barrah takes up a wing spot after a brief absence, whilst Tom Ferguson will roll through the midfield after he returned to Bennettswood following a mid-season stint in Tasmania.
Up front, Connor Xipolitos only misses the one senior match, promoted straight back in to the prime time arvo spot after a good showing against Brunswick before the bye.
