The Wattle Park Thirds (Div 12 Ressies) extended their winning streak to five on Saturday, grinding out a tough 7.9 (51) to 6.2 (38) victory against a spirited South Melbourne Swans side in blustery conditions at Lindsay Hassett Oval.
Playing away from home and in the shadows of Melbourne’s CBD skyline, the Animals braved swirling winds and a determined Swans outfit to collect four crucial premiership points and keep their mid-season momentum surging.
With a unique 2pm timeslot kicking off the second half of the season, Wattle Park unveiled several fresh faces. Nathan Calleja, Liam Graeme and Nate Ryan all made their club debuts, while captain George Burgess and cult-hero Mick Allen returned for their first outings of season 2025.
The opening quarter was a scrappy, wind-dominated battle. Gusts exceeding 50km/h made clean ball movement difficult, but Wattle Park’s midfield, led by a fearless Lachlan Hicks, set the early tone. Hicks burst from the opening bounce to drive the Animals inside 50 early, embodying the head-over-the-ball toughness that would define his afternoon. Fellow midfielder Jordan Cannizzarro dazzled with slick movement in traffic, while Dan Thorson and Connor Rogers worked hard to link defence to attack. Despite their efforts, conversion woes saw Wattle Park trail by 3 points at the first change.
With the breeze in their faces during the second term, the Animals clicked into gear. The backline unit of Aman Singh (Junior), Lukas Skaife, Austin Cookson and Sedgy repelled multiple Swans attacks, allowing Wattle Park to control field position. Ruckman Checkers began to dominate around stoppages, often winning the ball directly from the hit-out to launch attacks. Cam Muratore broke the scoring drought with a composed set shot following a strong rebound from Benny Kearns, before Thorson added another to push Wattle Park ahead. The highlight of the quarter came via a crunching bump from “The Candyman,” electrifying his teammates and symbolising the Animals’ intent. At the main break, the Animals held a 7-point advantage.
Coach Lenny praised the side’s second quarter response but urged greater polish and composure in the second half. The challenge was clear: maintain the intensity, tidy up possession, and capitalise on momentum.
The message landed. Caden MacDonald and Harry “Roaming Haz” Brown set the standard with relentless effort and repeat contests. MacDonald’s sharp footy IQ and Brown’s explosive run created havoc for the Swans, while Bailey McCabe continued to shine on the wing. Henry Tulloch also rose in critical moments, showing poise under pressure. Muratore kicked truly from a pack situation before Kearns floated forward for a gutsy goal. The Candyman then added with two of his own, giving the Animals a 20 point lead heading into the final term.
But South Melbourne wasn't done. The home side came out firing in the final term, landing the first blow and lifting their pressure around the ball. Thorson calmed the nerves with a clutch reply, but the Swans kept coming, peppering the forward 50 in a desperate bid to steal victory. In the face of relentless pressure, the Wattle Park defence stood firm. Cookson and Singh were outstanding under siege, supported by the composed efforts of Skaife and Checkers in a resilient final stand.
When the final siren rang, it was Wattle Park who had weathered the storm, both literal and metaphorical, to notch a 13 point win and keep their winning streak alive in emphatic fashion.
Wind Wreaks Havoc as Animals Slow to Settle
Albert Park delivered the toughest conditions of the Animals season so far, with fierce winds turning Saturday’s clash into a scrappy, unpredictable contest. Despite clear skies over Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the blustery bayside oval presented a major challenge for Wattle Park, who were sluggish to adapt early. The swirling wind played a significant role in disrupting the Animals’ structure, particularly in the opening stages, allowing South Melbourne to seize early momentum and apply scoreboard pressure. While Wattle Park ultimately recorded 16 scoring shots to the Swans’ 8, inaccuracy in front of goal kept the contest wide open until the final siren. As winter deepens and conditions grow tougher, the Animals will need to adjust more quickly to avoid letting weather, not the opposition, dictate the outcome of games.
Familiar Faces Return
In a season defined by fresh faces and new combinations, the return of George Burgess and Mick Allen proved a timely boost for the Wattle Park Thirds. Both key players of the 2024 campaign, their presence added stability and experience to a side still finding its rhythm amid the 2025 reshuffle. After being limited to just one quarter this season due to injury, Burgess slotted back into the lineup. His ability to read the play and offer a steadying influence under pressure was exactly what the Animals needed in blustery conditions. As he builds match fitness in the coming weeks, Burgess is set to play a crucial role in Wattle Park’s push for finals. Equally significant was the return of Mick Allen, whose trademark composure and polish reminded teammates why he was a key figure in last year’s side. Beyond his on-field contributions, Allen’s return lifted the group’s morale, with his presence injecting energy and belief across the board. With both players back in the mix, the Animals will be hoping their influence continues to grow as the season heats up.
Courageous core embody the Animals Spirit
It’s not always the high possession players or goal kicking heroes that determine a game's result. Often, it’s the courageous acts from players who put their body on the line and say “who’s coming with me?”. Saturday’s game was a perfect example of this. Whether it was Candyman with his aerial heroics as he bumps a player off his feet, Muratore as he takes on 3 opponents to take a mark, Hicks as he bulldozes through several players to gain an addition 5 yards, or Cookson who’ll fly across the pack to cause turnover and slow the play; all these little moments are momentum shifts and can be the difference between winning and losing. And oh boy, was that needed on Saturday.
SOUTH MELBOURNE 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.2 (38)
WATTLE PARK 0.3 2.7 6.8 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Wattle Park: Muratore 2, Stronach-Smith 2, Thorson 2, Kearns 1
BEST
Wattle Park: Ethan Stronach-Smith, Aman Singh, Cameron Muratore, Caden MacDonald, Harry Brown, Henry Tulloch
NEXT GAME
Wattle Park v UHS-VU (Home), Sat June 21st, (11:30am), Bennettswood Reserve