Wattle Park Football Club might have developed a serious case of triskaidekaphobia, that is fear of the number 13, on the weekend after all four teams suffered losses at the hands of competitive opposition. It felt as though the footy gods had the scripts already written for round thirteen, with no room for improvisation as the Women kicked off Animal proceedings for the day, falling to Box Hill North by 33 points. Both the Reserves and the Thirds toiled away after their 11:40am first bounces but were ultimately beaten by MHSOB and Mazenod to the tune of 151 and 134 points respectively. Unlucky last was the Seniors, whose 20-point loss was seemingly the icing on a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for the Animals. 

Two goals to James Greaves is arguably one of the only bright spots on an otherwise forgettable day for the Reserves. On the backfoot from the outset, the Animals were valiant in defeat but were comfortably beaten. Sean Bourke was named best-on, while Greaves, Adam Jopling, Lachie Hicks, Jem Sibly, and in his first game since a 2022 preseason injury, Josh Webb round out the top six. Admin would really like to say more here, but 19 scoring shots to three by half-time kinda says enough maybe. We love footy!

As the only team left standing and with the club on their shoulders, the Seniors went to work on Saturday afternoon but will be left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal. The home side kept their noses in front for the entirety of the game as the Animals struggled to maintain any dominance during the armwrestle. Seven scoring shots to three in the final term summed up the day for the Seniors, who were close but just not close enough. James Rippon’s work in defense sees him top the best players list, joined by Joden Crothers, Ben Collins, Harry Davis, Jess Goldsmid and Baxter Newbegin. Mercurial forward Dan Hill snagged two goals, with Newbegin, Jonathan Greensides, Matt Hill (no relation) and Nathan Bird rounding out the goalkickers list. 

Battling against the top of the ladder was always going to be tough for the Thirds, whose finals march falters just slightly at the pointy end of the season. A scoreless first term did the Animals no favours as their opposition piled on seven goals from 10 scoring shots. Despite consistently ticking over the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, the Thirds were without answers. Mazenod kicked 11 goals to three in the final term to extend the margin well past 100.  Michael Allen, Jordan Cannizzaro, George Burgess, Drew Ashton, Connor Rogers and Austin Cookson were the best six. Two goals each to Caden MacDonald and Jack Lindros saw them as the only multiple-goalscorers.

A lapse in concentration during the second quarter has seen the Women succumb at Elgar Park, though a competitive last half sets them in good stead for this weekend. A goal to Ashton Billing in the first quarter was the perfect reward after marking a centering kick from Rose Kennedy, before a second term to forget set the scene for the rest of the day. Stalwart Animal Sam Hogarth registered her first goal in some time during the final quarter, which came from an oppositional fumble after forward pressure from Kennedy. The usuals ran amok, with vice captain Grace Ambrosini’s ruck efforts yielding a best-on-ground mention, while Georgie Dillon, Elli Haylock, Jas Adern, Emily Severin and Billing join her on the list.

With limited games remaining for the club, all four teams will look to get back on the winners list this weekend. Bennettswood Reserve will welcome Aquinas as the Reserves and Seniors run out at their usual times of 11:40am and 2pm respectively, while the Women continue their away streak, trekking to JP Fawkner Reserve to face top-of-the-table Therry Penola at 9:20am. At the same time, the Thirds will be plying their trade at EE Gunn Reserve, Ormond their opposition. Saturday also marks Wattle Park’s first Community Day at the pavilion, so get down to watch the boys in blue and blue and maybe grab a sneaky BBQ snag while you’re there!

FINAL SCORES - ROUND THIRTEEN

Thirds v Mazenod: 8.6.54 - 28.20.188

MHSOB v Reserves: 25.15.165 - 2.2.14

Box Hill North v Women: 7.6.48 - 2.3.15

MHSOB v Seniors: 9.13.67 - 6.11.47