The middle of July brings a crucial weekend of fixtures for three of the Animals four sides this weekend as the end of the season hurtles closer and closer with every waking moment.

The Thirds can lock away an inaugural finals spot if results go their way this weekend when they host runaway leaders Mazenod, whilst both the Senior Men and Women can go a long way to staving off any semblance of a relegation fight with wins this weekend against MHSOB and Box Hill North respectively.

THIRDS: VS MAZENOD - BENNETTSWOOD RESERVE AT 11.40AM

Bennettswood has resembled more of a paddock after a rained-out music festival than a football oval at times this week but the Thirds will be the only team to grace the sacred ground this weekend when ladder leading Mazenod rolls in to town.

With such an important clash, the backline has been loaded up with Checkers, Jarra Davis, Ben Kearns, and Austin Cookson heading back to provide elite defence and rebound.

The moves see Bailey McCabe and Mickey Allen move in to the middle, with the former playing outside to provide run and carry. Jackson Keegan moves in to the vacated ruck role and will be tapping it down to either Zach Flaherty or Lochie Sketcher.

Up front Darcy Keegan, Cam Muratore, and Drew Ashton all start this week after last week’s mega showing from the forward line. League-leading goalkicker Caden MacDonald will look to add to his tally, with his 30 goals only 2 less than what the entire Thirds team kicked in the second half of last season.

WOMEN: VS BOX HILL NORTH - ELGAR PARK AT 9.20AM

Medical science has come a long way, but even vice-captain Lilliana Fogarty has amazed doctors with her miraculous recovery from a broken wrist and two damaged nerves to make her return after only 3 months of missed footy.

She’ll line up in a forward line look to atone for last week’s profligate effort where they kicked 0.5 against a Parkside team ripe for the taking.

The main change comes in the middle with Ashton Billing released from the ruck shackles after Grace Ambrosini’s efforts in the role last week to roam around with freedom and impact the game more. She’ll have Georgie Dillon and Nadine Pietsch on her wings as the former moves back to the familiar role after a week spent down back, and the latter making her return after missing the last two months of footy.

Maddy Mazar also returns after missing last week at centre half back, a role she has made her own since moving there early in the season, in what is the only change down back.

Meanwhile it’s more cases of returns from injury with Shannon Harris and Tahlia Hill returning from setbacks on the bench.

reserves: vs mhsob - woodfull-miller oval at 11.40am

It was a case of so close yet so far last week for the Twos as a poor second quarter handed the Friars the win. They’ll be looking to bounce back against MHSOB after letting them back in to the game with a 7 goal comeback at Bennettswood earlier in the year.

The big story here is the return of premiership star and last year’s coach Josh Webb from an ACL injury he suffered at the start of the 2022 season. Webb’s return has been long and at times seemingly forlorn, but to his credit he has stuck with it and will proudly run out wearing the blue and blue once again.

It’s a return to the Two’s for Max Warburton, Cam Dapic, and Joe Caldow from the Thirds this week, with the latter two heading up forward whilst Warburton starts at half back looking to stem the flow of goals the Two’s have been conceding.

Meanwhile Jem Sibley makes his long-awaited return from an arm injury, to provide run and delivery from the wing.

Six changes for the Seniors who look to arrest a 6 game losing streak against the side they recorded their last win against in mid-May.

Matt Hill returns after missing last week’s clash after being absent, whilst five players make their way up from the Two’s.

It’s a Senior debut for the well-loved Josh Mancusi-Thomas who has been electric up front for the Reserves this season, and will look to bring his unique brand of forward craft up to Senior football.

Promotions as well for the “Pres” Cam Gardner, Mitch Lamb, Jacob Glare, and Fletcher Cooper. The latter takes on the starting ruck role to give Tom Clarke a well needed rest after he toiled away valiantly in the role last week.

An injury to Sam Davis sees Ben Collins move back to a back flank, as does Zac Durrant, flanking elite swingman Baxter Newbegin.