In a season that has already seen plenty of highs, the Wattle Park Thirds have etched another milestone into the club’s history books. The Div 12 Ressies’ side roared back into form over the weekend with a resounding 64-point win over Masala. The final scoreline read 14.21 (105) to 6.5 (41), and while the inaccurate kicking may have left the boys grimacing, the overall performance was nothing short of dominant.
The win locks in a third-place finish for Wattle Park with a strong 9-5 record and a percentage of 118 - enough to earn the club its first-ever appearance in a Thirds finals series, complete with the all-important double chance. And after a pair of heavy defeats in recent weeks, the bounce-back couldn’t have been more timely.
“We knew we had to respond,” said head Coach Lenny post-match. “The past two weeks didn’t reflect what we’re capable of, and this group was desperate to head into finals on the right note. They delivered.”
First Quarter – Statement of Intent
Under a bright Dandenong sun, the Animals came out firing. The opening bounce barely had time to settle before Caden Macdonald, a spark plug all season, snapped truly to give Wattle Park the dream start. Ruckman Checkers got to work early, dominating the hit-outs and giving the midfield first use. That allowed Cam Muratore to do what he does best - win the contested ball and push it forward with purpose.
Despite the early dominance, the scoreboard wasn’t quite reflecting the effort. A string of behinds kept Masala within arm’s reach, and it took the classy finishing of Harry Brown, affectionately known as Roaming Haz, to finally break the pattern with a composed set shot midway through the term.
Masala hit back with a well-worked goal of their own, but the response was swift. Muratore burst through congestion to kick truly, giving the Animals a 17-point buffer at the first break.
Second Quarter – Haz Heats Up
The second term belonged to one man: Haz. The dynamic forward lit up the quarter with two quick goals, putting a clear gap between the two sides and giving the Animals a real edge in momentum..
Late-season recruit James “Dimma” Dedes was also proving his worth. His physicality around stoppages and ability to lock the ball inside 50 gave Wattle Park repeat entries and helped wear down the Masala defence. It was a textbook example of pressure footy translating into scoring chances.
Fletcher Cooper soon added his name to the scoreboard with a composed finish after a chain of clean handballs, and Baz McCabe floated forward from defence to slot a rare but celebrated major of his own. Masala pushed back late with two goals to keep things interesting, but the Animals held a 33-point lead at the main break and looked in control.
Halftime Chat – Focus and Finish
While the scoreboard showed a clear advantage, coach Lenny remained measured at halftime. “The effort’s been there. You’re winning the contest. But we can’t waste chances like we have,” he told his side. “Clean it up in front of the goal and let’s put this one to bed.”
The focus was clearly on sharpening the basics: converting opportunities and managing the tempo with finals looming.
Third Quarter – Grit and Grind
The third quarter was less about fireworks and more about structure and discipline. The midfield rotation was shuffled, with Lukas Skaife sliding in and providing poise and clean distribution. Vinnie Brigante, wearing the half-back mantle, was electric as he cut through Masala’s press with his run and carry.
One of the game’s biggest moments came not through a goal, but a courageous act. Riley Srey, who has blossomed into one of the Thirds’ most dependable defenders in 2025, stood tall under a high ball and took a gutsy contested mark deep in defence. The act lifted the side and was a timely reminder of what finals footy will demand.
The Animals only managed one goal for the term - a cool finish by Henry Tulloch for his first goal as an Animal which brought the entire bench to their feet. But despite kicking 1.6 for the quarter, the defensive efforts kept Masala scoreless, stretching the lead to 43 points by the final change.
Final Term – The Haz Show
With the result all but secured, the final quarter was a controlled affair. The rotations were smart, the ball movement composed, and the pressure sustained. But Haz wasn’t done just yet.
Early in the final term, he took on the ruck mantle, wheeled around and launched from 45. The ball sailed through, sending the crowd into raptures. It was his fourth for the day and a genuine goal-of-the-year contender. A fitting highlight in a dominant individual performance.
Cannizzaro worked himself into the game late, hunting the ball with intent and laying several crunching tackles. Hicks brought pressure at every contest, and Cooper added another goal to his tally with a long bomb from just outside 50.
Muratore, having set the tone all day, capped off his performance with a strong contested mark and set a shot goal to close proceedings. As the final siren sounded, Wattle Park had secured a resounding 64-point win, banked a top-three finish, and, most importantly, reclaimed their confidence.
Standouts and Milestones
The game also marked the 50th club appearance for skipper George Burgess, who was immense across half-back. His calmness under pressure, leadership voice, and willingness to throw himself into every contest didn’t go unnoticed.
Checkers dominated in the ruck all day, giving midfielders first use, while Haz’s four-goal performance up forward was the clear standout. Macdonald, Muratore, Dedes, and Skaife were prolific, and the backline unit of McCabe, Twistie, Toussiant, and Srey was rock-solid.
Looking Ahead – The Big Dance Begins
The win now sets up a blockbuster Qualifying Final clash against AJAX at Gary Smorgon Oval this weekend. Wattle Park will be eager to respond after a 100+ point loss to the same side only a fortnight ago. But with key personnel returning, momentum regained, and belief restored, anything is possible.
With finals footy just around the corner and the club buzzing with excitement, the Wattle Park Thirds have one message for their supporters: get ready. Finals footy has arrived and the animals are on the hunt.
Roaming Haz’s Day Out
Roaming Haz produced arguably his best game in the blue and blue, kicking four goals in what is a great return to form ahead of finals. The small forward has been a handy addition to the Animals team this season, currently sitting 2nd in the goal kicking. Haz’s ability to read the ball both in the air and on the ground is a testimony to his footy IQ and has been advantageous in what is a dynamic Animals forward line. His brief stint in defense in the third term proves he is more than just a goal kicker and has the additional ability to float back when the magnets are needing to be thrown around. His final goal from the ruck will go down in Div 12 Ressies history and was a stern reminder of what the dynamic forward will offer this finals series.
Goal kicking woes are a concern
Despite returning to the winners list, a big concern is still prevalent - the inability to convert in front of goal. The past three games have seen the Wattle Park Thirds register 3.10, 5.16, and 14.21, respectively. That's a combined total of 22.47 in the past three weeks. Goal kicking and setshot routine will be a big focus this week as Checkers leads his men out onto the track. If the Animals are unable to change this stat then they could be in for a reality check this weekend against AJAX. On the flipside, however, if they are to return to their previous goal kicking habits, then the sky is the limit as the Animals charge into finals footy. Opposition beware.
Finals Fortune
It has been a long road for the Wattle Park Thirds. Since their inception during the covid-plagued seasons, the Thirds have struggled for on-field success as the team tried to find its footing in a largely competitive Thirds competition. Players have come and gone, with many progressing into the Reserves and Senior sides along the journey, much to the delight of the club. However, the culture around the team has never been a weakness. The inclusion of the Marmalade Boys and a host of other social media stars shifted the team's trajectory in season 2024, as the side fell agonizingly short of finals due to percentage. The foundations however, were built. The Thirds returned hungrier and stronger in season 2025, winning 7 consecutive games to secure 3rd place on the premiership ladder. The belief is high, the culture is strong, and the boys are ready for finals footy. Here come the Animals!
MASALA 1.0 4.2 4.4 6.5 (41)
WATTLE PARK 3.5 8.11 9.17 14.21 (105)
GOALS
Wattle Park: Brown 4, Muratore 3, Toussaint 2, Bradeth 1, Cannizzaro 1, MacDonald 1, McCabe 1, Tulloch 1
BEST
Wattle Park: Harry Brown, Jarra Davis, Cameron Muratore, Benjamin Kearns, Lachlan Hicks, Noah Moon
NEXT GAME (Qualifying Final)
Wattle Park v AJAX (Away), Gary Smorgon Oval