The Wattle Park Thirds (Div 12 Ressies’) have etched their name into club folklore, producing one of their most memorable victories to date by defeating a spirited Hawthorn outfit in Saturday morning’s Preliminary Final. The 19-point triumph at Bennettswood Reserve not only booked the Animals their first-ever Grand Final appearance, but also stamped them as one of the most resilient and determined sides in the competition.
In front of a sea of brown, gold, and red-clad Animals faithful, the Thirds delivered a performance full of grit, flair, and unity. For most of the contest, they controlled tempo, space, and the scoreboard, eventually running out 11.9 (75) to 7.14 (56) winners. The margin could have been greater had it not been for Hawthorn’s stubborn refusal to go quietly.
The result means the Animals now face MHSOB for the premiership cup, setting up a third clash between the two sides in what has become one of the most compelling rivalries of the 2025 season.
A Finals Journey Like No Other
To understand the magnitude of the victory, one must rewind a week earlier. In their first Preliminary Final, Wattle Park faced MHSOB on the Unicorns’ home deck. The Animals looked sharp from the outset, leading by two points at quarter-time and building what looked to be a game-defining 14-point buffer midway through the second term.
Then came the incident that changed the complexion of their season. Star midfielder Connor Rogers, the heartbeat of the Thirds’ on-ball brigade, went down with a serious injury. The match was halted, eventually abandoned.
By league rules, the higher-ranked side progressed. That meant MHSOB advanced directly to the Grand Final despite trailing when play stopped. For the Animals, it was a bitter pill, but perspective quickly arrived. The scoreboard became irrelevant as teammates rallied around Rogers, ensuring their mate received the care and support he needed.
It wasn’t about footy at that moment, it was about Rog. He’s the toughest bloke out there, and losing him was gutting. But straight away we knew: we’re doing this for him.
The slogan “Do it for Rogers” became more than just words. It was a mission statement. By the time Saturday rolled around, the Animals had fire in their bellies and unity in their hearts.
Before the Bounce
Arriving at the Zoo for what was, without question, the biggest game of their season, the Animals carried themselves with steely determination. In a powerful gesture, the entire team wore Connor Rogers tribute shirts during their warm-up, a clear sign that although sidelined, Rogers was very much part of the fight.
The atmosphere was electric. Conditions were pristine for a 9:20am start - crisp air, firm deck, and not a breath of wind. There was a sense of history beckoning.
But across from them stood Hawthorn, the comeback kings of the finals series. The Hawks had knocked off both St Mary’s and AJAX in consecutive elimination games, each time clawing back from deficits of four goals or more. They were a side built on grit and belief, and they had already split their two meetings with Wattle Park during the regular season.
This was always going to be brutal.
First Quarter – A Blistering Start
The opening bounce set the tone. From the get-go, the Animals midfield went to work. Checkers, Hicks, Dimma, and Davis threw themselves into every stoppage, ensuring the contest would be one of high physicality.
The first breakthrough came from Benny Kearns. Finding himself isolated inside 50, Kearns coolly slotted a difficult set shot from 45 metres, igniting the Wattle Park crowd. Minutes later, half-back Dan Thorson, back in the line-up, launched a rebound play, and Lukas Skaife’s relentless aerial pressure forced another turnover. Dimma’s clean clearance found MacDonald, who bombed one home from outside 50. The Animals were humming.
Hawthorn struck back quickly, reminding everyone that they weren’t here to make up numbers. But the Animals absorbed the blow and hit back again, this time through key forward Cam Muratore, who clunked a contested grab and converted with authority. Checkers capped off a dominant term with a thumping set shot, his first goal of the season, to extend the lead.
By quarter-time, Wattle Park were 15 points to the good. The Zoo was buzzing.
Second Quarter – Relentless Pressure
The second term was always going to be about resistance, and the Animals backline didn’t disappoint. Junior and Andre “The Giant” Toussaint patrolled the defensive 50 like sentinels, cutting off aerial raids and repelling ground-level threats. Their intercept work allowed the midfielders to reset and counter.
Checkers’ dominance in the ruck was pivotal. Time and again, his taps gave the midfield first use, and when Caldwell slotted a major, momentum was firmly with the Animals. Davis followed up with another, maintaining his season-long accuracy in front of the big sticks.
The Hawks, desperate not to let the game slip, tightened their defensive structure, turning the quarter into a trench war. But creativity from the Animals cracked the code. A slick chain from a clearance ended with McCabe squaring to Sedgy, who drilled a beauty to raucous cheers.
Hawthorn pressed late but squandered their chances, finishing the half with 2.8. The Animals went into the sheds 26 points ahead, and with belief soaring.
Half-Time – A Dream Within Reach
Inside the rooms, Coach Lenny kept the message simple: Two quarters of honest footy and we’re there. Don’t give them a sniff.
The challenge was clear. Hawthorn were specialists in second-half surges, and complacency would be punished. For all their dominance, the Animals knew the next quarter, the premiership quarter, would define them.
Third Quarter – Holding the Line
Hawthorn came out snarling. The hits grew heavier, the contests fiercer. Midway through the term, the Animals suffered a gut punch when Cannizzaro was cleaned up in a bone-crunching contest and ruled out. Already missing Thorson in the second-half, the Thirds were suddenly two key defenders short.
But adversity breeds heroes. Layton Sketcher flung himself into the breach, producing desperate spoils and fearless runs. Henry Tulloch matched him, while Brandon Rice, a mid-season recruit, justified his key-defender status with a string of courageous plays.
The Hawks finally converted midway through, but time was slipping away. That was when the Animals produced a moment of magic. Sketcher burst out of half-back, linking up with Kearns and Muratore in a slick one-two before Kearns drilled his second. Moments later, Muratore himself nailed a long bomb, swinging momentum back the Animals’ way.
By three-quarter time, Wattle Park had stretched the lead to 32 points. The faithful could smell it.
Fourth Quarter – Surviving the Surge
Five goals up, the Animals were in prime position. One more goal would ice it. But Hawthorn weren’t done. They kicked the first of the final term and suddenly the energy shifted. Their pressure went up another gear and soon another major followed.
The crowd grew restless. Fatigue was etched across Wattle Park faces, and discipline wavered. A couple of costly free kicks gifted the Hawks two more goals, and suddenly the margin was back within striking distance.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Caldwell steadied the ship with his second major of the day, stemming the bleeding and restoring belief. The final minutes were chaos, bodies flying, the Hawks throwing everything at it.
Then, fittingly, it was skipper MacDonald who had the last say. With seconds left, he marked just inside 50, went back, and slotted truly. The siren blared. Arms shot skyward. The Zoo erupted.
Final score: Animals 11.9 (75) defeated Hawthorn 7.14 (56). History made.
Looking Ahead – The Big Dance
The victory sets up a Grand Final clash with MHSOB, the very side who advanced controversially after last week’s abandoned match. The narrative couldn’t be richer: redemption, rivalry, and the ultimate prize on the line.
The Animals will enter with momentum, spirit, and the weight of history on their side. One more win, and a maiden premiership cup will be theirs.
For now, though, Wattle Park can revel in a performance that will be remembered for generations. The Thirds have not just reached a Grand Final -they have captured the hearts of their faithful and shown what belief, mateship, and sheer determination can achieve.
The Zoo is alive. The Animals are coming.
Key Performers and Turning Points
Cadan MacDonald: Didn’t get the highest disposal count but it’s the moments that matters most in finals. 2 finals goals and grit around the contest is exactly why he is the skipper.
Layton Sketcher: Continued his terrific finals form and put his body on the line in every contest. None are more deserving of a potential premiership medal then Sketcher. A bull in every sense of the word.
Cam Muratore: The key-forward was dominant in the air inside 50 and around the ground. As leader of the forward line. Muratore was influential in the final scoreline and kicked truly with two goals of his own.
James “Dimma” Dedes: Physical presence at every contest and lifting teammates in key moments. The late-season result was exactly what the Animals were after and has been a key pillar in the Animals finals campaign.
Aman ‘Junior’ Singh: Crafty and silky in the backline and caused headaches for his opposing forward. The cult figure dominated in the air and provided a calming presence late in the game when the pressure was building. His footy IQ was integral to the win.
Checkers: Dominated in the ruck all day and continued his outstanding 2025 form. The big man made his presence known throughout the ground as he played as a secondary midfielder and set up numerous inside 50 entries. A clutch setshot from Checkers was timely in the first quarter and set the Animals up for their victory.
Doing it for Rog
Emotions were high for the Wattle Park Thirds this week as they prepared for their second preliminary final without key figure Connor Rogers. Rogers has been a dominant force for the Animals across the past two seasons and has been a key pillar in the midfield brigade. The group stood tall for Rog and played with true heart and soul in classic Rogers fashion. With signature Rog t-shirts in the warm up, the boys played with not just the motivation of a grand final, but with the motivation to sing the song with Rog who was patiently waiting in his hospital bed. Dream became a reality as Rog was called during the team song after a hard fought victory. It was a bitter-sweet moment but a true reflection of what footy is all about. It’s not just about wins - but about playing for your mates. That one was for you, Rog.
Fire in the Forwardline
It would appear the Animals forward line has found its key mix at the perfect time. The previous three finals have seen the forwards step up against the best defensive teams in the league as they hunt for a slice of premiership glory. MacDonald, Muratore, Kearns, Taylor, Caldwell and Davis have had ice in their veins throughout the finals series and have been able to deliver off the back of a hardworking midfield group. Across 10 quarters of finals footy, the forwards have found their chemistry and have been able to deliver when it matters most. Kearns and Muratore have combined for 11 goals this finals series, Caldwell has provided an outstanding key-forward option, MacDonald and Davis have been clutch in big pressure moments, and Taylor has provided outstanding forward craft - especially in the first final. These 6 players will be integral in the grand final and the Animals quest for a maiden Thirds flag.
Dimma Domination
The absence of Rogers is a huge void for the Animals. However, his good mate and late-season recruit, James ‘Dimma’ Dedes, is stepping up when it matters most. Since joining the squad, Dimma has been arguably one of the most in-from Animals of recent weeks. He plays with tough physicality, provides ample service to the outside mids, isn’t afraid to hurt the opposition, and has one of the best footy IQ’s in the team. He is exactly what the Animals have been missing in recent seasons. Dimma has the potential to light the stage on fire in the big moments and has been a key reason the Animals midfield is getting the service it desires. If Dimma can replicate his form in next week's Grand Final, then the Animals will be a red hot crack at winning the flag.
WATTLE PARK 4.1 7.4 9.7 11.9 (75)
HAWTHORN 1.4 2.8 3.11 7.14 (56)
GOALS
Wattle Park: Caldwell 2, Kearns 2, Muratore 2, MacDonald 2, Davis 1, Checkers 1, Manapsal-Lucas 1
BEST
Wattle Park: Cam Muratore, James Dedes, Henry Tulloch, Joshua Manapsal-Lucas, Jarra Davis, Layton Sketcher
NEXT GAME (Grand Final)
Wattle Park v MHSOB, TBC