Promotion path meets Canterbury challenge

In life, promotion is a sought after success. Whether it be in the workplace, for businesses trying to crack a market, or in sport, promotion can only be good.

But promotion is something that is not easy to obtain, at least the best kind. The kinds of promotion that is worked for the hardest, is the one that is enjoyed the most.

That’s why the Animals path to an immediate return to Division 2 will be done the hard way, beginning via an Elimination Final against a local rival. 

It’s a recipe that would not be out of place from your most expensive cook book.

The Animals have met their immediate season expectations in making the Top 4, an. Expectation thrust upon them as the sole side sliding down to Division 3 in 2019. 

Many sides have hunted the Animals in 2019, with Canterbury getting the jump in the first clash at their home deck, with a second half blitz leaving the Animals in the rear view mirror.

It’s why the return clash, now a month in the past, was circled as a key game in making sure of a successful end to the 2019 season. 

A dynamic display, often at times leaving the “Cobbies” reeling, was thrown out in trying conditions on an even more trying deck.

Now, with both teams owning a psychological advantage over the other, the ledger will be finalised in an elimination final which will see one side left lamenting a failed season, and the prospect of another year on the VAFA’s second lowest rung, as they battle it out at Whitefriars College.

Senior football at the best of times is a spectacle at any grade. Fast, hard, tough, and leaving you spent both physically, and mentally, it is a special kind of warfare. Add in finals footy to the mix, and you’ve got an environment only the best can thrive in.

Meet Paul Baranello. 

The 8 time, potentially verging on 9 time, club best and fairest will enter yet another finals campaign, his last ending in heartbreak in 2015.

“Bara” had been predicted to see his importance in the side potentially downgrade, as the Animals next generation begins its ascension. However he was having none of that, and instead took it as a personal challenge to challenge the youngsters himself, and have himself a year, finishing last week with a 6 goal masterclass against Richmond Central.

Six is also the same amount of Animals left from the heartbreak of 2015, with Captain Chris Beluszar, Jonathan O’Connor, Lawrence Virgo, Michael Davis, and Dan Hill the remaining survivors. 

They too, feel a burn too deep to ignore heading into Sundays clash, and all six, along with a fleet of new Animals ready to shine their name in lights, with a desire to end a season, and continue their own.

Two's quest for glory confronts Cobra challenge

In a day and age where the hustle and bustle of every day life, one could argue that a VAFA Third Division Grade Elimination Final pales in comparison to the more important issues, but you would be wrong.

After a 4 game winning streak, the Animals Reserves hit a hurdle late, as two close losses from the final three games saw them stumble into the finals.

However, finals is a different beast. It spawns eternal hope, dreams that for the majority of participants are cruelly dashed by a mistress who holds no sympathy or remorse, and special feeling that wells up inside you the week leading in to it, creating a warm fuzzy feeling no puppy is able to replicate.

To add to the pressure, it’s a Reserve Grade final.

The Reserve Grader is a special type of person. He plays the early game of a weekend, more pressure applied by his own teammates than his direct opponent. He finishes before 2, and then watches on as the Senior side do their business, making claims that he could do better if his knee wasn’t dodgy still.

But come finals, the Reserve Grader ditches the larrikin demeanour which he has boisterously carried through a long and arduous season. He suddenly starts talking about meal prepping, carb loading, “warm downs” whatever those are, all to achieve the ultimate glory, a Reserve Grade Premiership.

The journey begins here, and for the Animals, on a Saturday in Bundoora, on an oval just off the Ring Road.

Their opponents are a Manningham side whom they only fell 4 points shy of defeating just 3 weeks ago in conditions that can only be described as unplayable (Direct quote from 4 Animals Reserve players at Tuesday training following the game).

In a low scoring affair, the Cobras dressed in blue won 35-31, reversing a 20 point win the Animals recorded back in May at Bennettswood Reserve.

Now the season series is settled at a neutral venue, and it is the Animals who seek revenge.

Michael Mazzeo has been tossed the role of fullback, replacing long term Reserves player Fraser “G-Train” Walker, who has abandoned his fellow twos and become a Senior player. Dynamic swingman Darcy “Screech” Burke features, as well as current Reserves B&F Favourite James Rippon.

Through the middle, the Ginger chinned hard man Jason Schinck leads his midfield into battle on the vast Bundoora surrounds, with the classy Sean Howard looking to remind those who have slept on his talents just how dangerous he is.

Up front, the most dangerous man in Reserve Grade football, Tom Birkett, leads a forward line ready to score freely. Birkett kicked 48 goals in just 9 games in 2019, 12 more than his nearest foe. He’s joined by fellow goal kicking dynamo Jonathan Greensides, who despite playing only four games all year, has 13 majors to his name, and Zac Kearns, who’s exploits in the Seniors will be key to an Animals victory.

If successful, a date with a demoralised Aquinas or Richmond Central awaits in the second week of the finals, as well as the chance to etch their names alongside heroes of Animals past in making a Grand Final.

Ressies slip, Seniors shine

The scene couldn’t have been more set for a final-round showdown between Emmaus St Leo’s men’s teams and their opponents in Richmond Central on Saturday. With the sun shining down on Kevin Bartlett Reserve for most of the day, the Animals ran out onto the ground eager to finish their home and away seasons on a high, and properly cement themselves as finals contenders. 

With Max Hunt noticeably absent from rucking duties due to injury, it was down to Alex Stokes to take the reins for a majority of the game, and take the reins he did, earning himself best on for his efforts all over the ground. Jonathan Greensides kicked the only goal of the first quarter for the Animals, and his only goal for the game, after a 6-goal effort against Parkside the weekend before. It was another case of missed opportunities in the second quarter, with Emmaus St Leo’s going into the main break down by only 7 after kicking 1.6, though their defensive efforts kept Richmond to just one goal. 

Something must have been in Richmond’s halftime cordial, who came out in the third quarter with a point to prove, booting 4.4 and limiting the Animals to nothing. Despite staging a late fourth-quarter comeback, the reserves fell short on the scoreboard, with Richmond taking the four points by 13, 9.7.61 to 6.12.48.

Some wayward kicking on behalf of the Animals reserves allowed Richmond to get on top early, and inevitably stay on top for the whole game. Highlights of the day included 4 different goalkickers in the final term, with Tom Shannon and Reece Luehman kicking majors, and co-captain Steve Jones slotting his second of the day while Harry Wines’ efforts in the middle despite missing his partner in crime still provided plenty of spark for the reserves despite the loss. 

For the seniors, it was a different story. With nine individual goalkickers on the day, and a scoreline that had more majors than minors, it’s no wonder the Animals left the field winners. 

Richmond’s seniors team must have taken a leaf out of the reserves’ book when they came out firing in the first quarter, outscoring the Animals 6.5.41 to 4.1.25. The first goal for Emmaus St Leo’s came from Dan Hill, with movement on the wings that allowed him to run in and score. Paul Baranello followed up with his first of the day, off the back of hard, defensive pressure at the Animals’ non-scoring end. A chaos ball from Zac Kearns that landed deep in the forward line dribbled through for a goal. Somehow, the Animals still went into the first break 16 points down. 

But after what was no doubt a rousing speech from their coach, Emmaus St Leo’s kicked into gear in the second term, their fast ball movement allowing them to add five goals to Richmond’s two. Kearns, who marked on the 50, signalled for his team to slow it down, much to the amusement of everyone on the bench, and went back to slot his second of the day. Hugh Schaeche and captain Chris Beluszar joined the goalkicking party, as did Jesse Collins, who all sunk majors in the second quarter, giving their team the seven-point lead heading into the main break. The third quarter was much of the same, despite only three goals being kicked. Brent Simons kicked truly, with Baranello continuing his first quarter form, slotting two majors. 

Baranello starred for the seniors, which is a surprise to literally no one, as he wrote his own script by finding space and doubling his goal tally for the game in the fourth quarter. His last three majors were part of a 9-goal onslaught from the Animals in the final term of the home and away season that saw them run away winners by 77 points. To add salt to the wounds of their Richmond opponents, Emmaus St Leo’s kept them scoreless after the third quarter, who had only added 23 points since quarter time after they’d bounded out of the gates at the start of the game. Nathan Bird got the scoreboard reward for the efforts he’d been showing all game, as did Matt Hill. Dan Hill, Chris Beluszar and Jesse Collins also added to the scoreboard in the fourth, contributing to the forward half pressure that was prevalent through the final term. The Animals finished the game with five multiple-goal scorers, which serves them well leading into finals and speaks to the depth of their list. 

This weekend, Emmaus St Leo’s have both their men’s teams in finals, the reserves and seniors playing two separate teams on two separate days, but the same kind of snake. The reserves will be making the trek over to Garvey Oval on Saturday to take on the Manningham Cobras at 11:40am, while the seniors will play on Sunday against the Canterbury Cobras at Whitefriars College at 2pm. 

Animals hoping to avoid dumb luck in season finale

Lloyd Christmas once said “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?” when confronted with a very unlikely scenario, however the Animals will be looking to extinguish any chances of an early Christmas miracle for either Westbourne or Canterbury when they travel to Burnley to finish the 2019 VAFA Division 3 Home and Away season.

The Animals have all but secured a Senior section finals spot, with the highly unlikely scenario of the Animals losing to Richmond Central, and Westbourne and Canterbury playing out a draw at Canterbury the only possible way to remove the Animals from their coveted finals position.

However, the Animals won’t be leaving anything to chance. 

Still bullish about their flag chances in both grades in 2019, Emmaus have named two incredibly strong sides for the final round of the season, with a senior debut also handed out to a club favourite.

In the reserves, Screech Burke, Jason Schinck, and co-Captain Steve Jones mark a host of quality returns as the Animals look to avenge their then shock loss at the start of the season to the Snakes.

That day, Richmond Central overcame an early deficit to run out 9 point winners at Bennettswood, a loss no one involved in has soon forgotten.

Jono Greensides kicked 2 that day, and is fresh off a 6 goal return last week to strike again at the vast expanses of Kevin Bartlett Reserve, apt for a man who rates himself as highly as KB does KB.

He’ll have sole possession of the Animals forward line with section goal kicking leader Tom Birkett resting before a crucial finals series. Birkett will end 2019 on 48 goals in 9 games played, just shy of averaging 7 snags an outing.

In the middle, Sean Howard, Harry Wines, and the returning Jason Schinck for a midfield to be feared by any side in the division, with elite running from Charlie Simpson and Zac Durrant to accompany them on the wings.

Screech Burke returns to the backline as well, after starring in his previous two outings at Canterbury and Manningham.

The Animals are locked in to 4th position in the Reserves, and a win could set up a potential rematch the following week, with Richmond Central only one game ahead of Manningham in 3rd.

In the Seniors, there’s more positive returns ahead of the final month, with Hugh Schaeche returning from a niggle to replace Harry Davis. Ray Kuhnell starts in the middle to combat a very contested Snakes side who love a hard ball get.

Down back, clubroom favourite Fraser “G-Train” Walker makes his senior debut for the Blue and the Blue, replacing Ben Collins who rests as well before the finals series.

Up front, Zac Kearns backs up for his second senior game, whilst Paul Baranello, Chris Beluszar, and Brent Simons represent a real danger for any defender in yellow and black.

A win will confirm 3rd spot for the Animals, a loss, and suddenly thoughts go towards “the chance”, however dumb it may seem.

Devils condemned by wayward Animals

It was a case of “Job done” for the Animals as they swept aside Parkside to end the year strongly at Bennettswood Reserve in 2019. 

The Animals had a much stronger year at home, going 4-3 in the Seniors, and 5-2 in the Reserves, compared to their 2-7 and 3-6 records in 2018, and secured their first over 500 record at home since the 2017 Seniors season which went 5-4.

The Reserves kicked the day off with a comprehensive dismantling of the Parkside reserves, running out 20.27.147 to 3.3.21 winners. Jono Greensides marked his return with 6 goals, whilst Tom Birkett consolidated his lead on the goalkicking list with 3 majors of his own.

Charlie Simpson was simply divine on the wing, at times toying with the Parkside lineup, spinning out of contests and roaming around the muddy terrain of Bennettswood like it was at it’s summer best.

He was complemented by Harry Wines, who once again held sway in the middle of the park, and continues to build confidence ahead of the finals.

Down back, the Animals held Parkside goalless for the first half, before leaking 5 scoring shots in the second, however the rebound 50 work of the Animals in tough conditions was the spark for multiple scoring chances throughout the contest.

In the final term, 100 gamer Tom Buick was able to snag just his second goal of 2019 late to ensure it was a to-script performance in his milestone match, finding acres of room on the Deakin side wing in the good grass for the majority of the match.

Combined, the Reserves defeated Parkside 38.38.266 to 4.6.30 over the two games in 2019.

In the Seniors, it was a much tighter affair to start the match, with Leo’s on holding a 2 point lead at the first change.

Wayward kicking was the feature of the day for the Animals, and increased accuracy will serve them better come September, but the challenging playing conditions meant that Leo’s found straight kicking at times an impossible task.

However a 6 goal spurt in the second combined by keeping Parkside to a solitary point saw the Animals stroll away to a 47 point lead and not look back.

Parkside would mount a respectable charge to start the third, and win the third term kicking 5 goals to 2 towards the Burwood Highway, but the Animals would pull away at the end. Zac Kearns would kick his first senior goal and regular contributors Chris Beluszar and Paul Baranello would also stroke home majors as the Seniors struck 15.28.118 to 9.7.61.

Animals finals battle no walk in the Parkside

Three’s a crowd, especially when it comes to finals races.

The Animals Senior side is locked in a vicious threeway for two spots, and with only two weeks left in the 2019 VAFA Home and Away season, we’ve nearly arrived at the climax of the amateur footballing year.

For all three sides involved, winning is the only way to reach the finish line, and the first target in line is Parkside, where Emmaus started their Men’s season.

In what seems now at least two eternities ago, the Animals strolled into Alphington and delivered a solid performance which saw them run out 55 point winners at Pitcher Park.

That game was against a Parkside side who had just knocked off Richmond Central, and were riding the highs of making a splash post promotion. Since then however, it’s been less positive for the Red Devils. 

No wins since Mid-May, and fresh off two straight byes, it would be easy to believe the side from the other side of the Chandler Highway would be lacking some momentum, however that would be foolish of the Animals to do so, with their last 5 losses all by less than 5 goals.

The Animals senior side have made minimal changes to the side with lost to Manningham last week, the first game dropped since Leo’s themselves returned from the dreaded double bye.

Kieran Mair and Bailey Hunt are injected into the starting sides, with some rejigging of the magnets seeing Lawrence Virgo shift from Fullback to Full Forward.

A senior debut has been handed to Zac Kearns as well, who will start from the bench.

For the Reserves, the demons of a close loss to a solid Manningham side last week will look to be exercised when they take on Parkside’s Reserves, who’s record matches their Senior counterparts.

Last time, the Two’s flexed their muscles early, recording a 119-9 victory at Pitcher Park. Jonathan Greensides kicked 4 goals that day, and will make his return since May 11 from injury. 

But the big story of the day belongs to Tom Buick, who will run out on Past Players and True Blues Day for his 100th match in the Blue and the Blue. 

With the two’s finals spot confirmed, the chance to lock away crucial structures and systems before September hits will be look to be taken advantage of as the Animals run out on Bennettswood for one final time in 2019.

Animals downed in dour day

Unfavourable weather conditions yielded unfavourable results for both Emmaus St Leo’s men’s teams, who travelled to Koonung Reserve and faced the Manningham Cobras on Saturday.

It was a case of running out of time for the reserves, whose fourth quarter fight back wasn’t enough to deny Manningham the four points as they ran away four-point winners in what was a scrappy match from beginning to end. The first fifteen minutes of the first quarter were impressive, with the run and movement providing plenty of opportunities for the forwards. Tom Birkett added to his goal tally for the season with a major after taking a sliding mark, and did his best to provide his teammates with their own opportunities, kicking the ball to a long-sleeved Zac Kearns who also kicked truly. Kieran Jenkins scored the Animals’ third goal of the quarter with a mark on the 50 line, to see his team go six points up into the first break.

The following three quarters, much to the chagrin of Emmaus St Leo’s supporters and players, saw efforts from everybody but without a reward on the scoreboard. Kieran Jenkins kicked his second, and the Animals’ fourth, late in the fourth quarter to provide some sunshine in an otherwise dreary day for Emmaus St Leo’s reserves team. Another bright spot was the connection between ruckman and midfielder with Harry Wines being on the receiving end of some well-timed taps from Max Hunt, and managing to break away and send the ball forward countless times.

In a low-scoring affair and the final score being 5.5.35 to 4.7.31, Manningham’s ability to shut down Emmaus St Leo’s major players ended up being the difference.

It was a different story for the seniors, and not in a good way, who started off the game on the back foot, going into the first break 0.0.0 to Manningham’s 2.5.17. Countless efforts from some of Emmaus St Leo’s stalwarts in Michael Davis and Paul Baranello weren’t enough to combat the speed that Manningham had through the middle. Dan Hill kicked the Animals’ first in the second quarter, and followed up with his second in the third. Ray Kuhnell also added to Emmaus St Leo’s score after getting paid a 50 metre penalty on the wing and converting. Manningham kept the pressure up all day, consistently upping their score though wayward goalkicking kept the Animals closer than they arguably should have been, despite efforts from all involved. Harry Davis and Baxter Newbegin added to the Animals’ score with two majors in the final quarter.

The seniors were in the wars all day, with at least five players gaining and carrying injuries throughout the game. In the end, Manningham kicked away, adding three more goals to their final score in the last term to finish the game 12.12.84 to the Animals’ 5.2.32.

Both Emmaus St Leo’s men’s teams will be looking for redemption when they play hosts for the last time for the home and away season. Their opponents are Parkside, who the reserves systematically dismantled by 110 points, with the seniors following suit and winning by 55, when they played each other in the second round of the year. Get down to Bennettswood Reserve for the last time in the 2019 home and away season, and watch your Animals put some wins back on the board. First bounce is at 11:40am.

Animals roll to confront Cobra challenge

The Animals will be looking for revenge in the Seniors when they travel to the other side of the Eastern Freeway to take on Manningham in what could be a potential finals preview, whilst the Seniors will look to replace Manningham into 3rd position as they look to take the season double against the Cobras.

The Reserves ran out deserved winners during the #PinkSaturday clash, and only sit 2 points behind Manningham in the standings, proving to be both a blessing and a curse.

It’s a two’s team on the rise and beginning to now string quality performances together as they flexed and knocked Canterbury off for over 100 points, the second straight week of owning a three figure margin.

However Manningham pose a much harder proposition, and will be looking to protect their ladder position and get revenge after the previous clash, one they feel aggrieved to have dropped.

For the Animals, Co-Captains Steve Jones and Adam Athorne will miss, with it leading to some noticeable shifts.

Cam Gardner, fresh off playing.well up front, will drop back into the back pocket, with Josh Webb also floating back on to a flank role. Reece Luehman start in the other pocket whilst James Rippon moves up to Centre Half Back with Fraser Walker shifting to Fullback.

Tom Shannon is moved forward to add some height, which sees Louis Fasolino take up a role in the middle of the park, with Harry Wines and Jason Schinck set to run amuck again on the vast Bulleen ground. They’ll be fed the ball by Max Hunt, with Alex Stokes rolling through the tall rotation.

Up front, Keiran Jenkins makes his return after a short injury stint, whilst Joe Anker will provide some new x-factor from the bench.

For the Seniors, the situation is vastly different. Manningham have skipped clear of Aquinas atop Division 3 and have left the rest of the section pondering how to shut them down.

Section leading goal kicker Kane Maghamez kicked 7 at Bennettswood Reserve, and was the sole difference between the two sides in what was a shootout for the ages. Maghamez has kicked 6 goals in 2 games since his return, and has looked like his domination of the league will contiunue.

Manningham pulled away at every change in round 5 to nab the 23 point win and whilst some would argue that they have improved to an even better state, so have Leoi’s.

Three straight wins, including statement wins against direct finals rivals in Westbourne and Canterbury see a good mood down by Deakin Uni.

Hugh Schaeche will miss the clash, but Ethan Phillips will slot into his midfield role after a stellar performance on his return last week for the twos. Brent Simons will swap with Paul Baranello to start in the middle, Bara will go forward. Michael Davis pushes Ray Kuhnell to the bench, as he looks to continue on from his fine performance in his 200th game last week as well.

Down back, Lawrence Virgo has been given the job of shutting down Maghamez, which sees Sam Argus moved to the bench, whilst Jonothan O’Connor’s return pushes Baxter Newbegin wide and Charlie Simpson to the bench.

Up front, just Paul Baranello is the only change to a Leos forward line that has begun to hum, and also pride the passion for the rest of the side to feed from. Harry Davis was the catalyst last week in kicking four as he reminded the rest of the league to not sleep on him, or his Animals side as they hurtle towards finals footy.

Animals continue hot run

The Animals went three from three in the run home to finals with a crucial double strike over Canterbury at home as the Seniors commemorated the 200th game for club stalwart Micky Davis.

Davis contributed to a 7 goal first quarter blitz which proved to be the difference on the day in the Seniors. 

The 20 point win sees the Animals continue to take control of the race for the final two spots in the Senior Top 4, with their superior percentage proving to be a crucial factor with 3 games left to play.

Canterbury would strike first on the day, but the Animals would go on a 7 goal stretch to blow the game wide open, before the Cobras grabbed a goal after the quarter time siren to make it a 5 goal game. It was a Kevin Moloney hip and shoulder in the middle of Bennettswood which not only rocked his opponent, but changed the game. 

The second quarter then followed a eerily similar story to the rest of the year as Canterbury slid their way back in to the contest inch by inch, narrowing the lead to inside 2 straight kicks with a 4 goal to 1 term.

But this is a different Animals side, a side that doesn’t slump after the long break, and it was the Cobras turn to struggle to make an impact on the scoreboard again. It would be Harry Davis who would run the show, as he kicked four for the day and made his impact in the premiership quarter as the Animals blew the game back out to a healthy four gaol lead.

It’s where the game would stay, as the Animals ran out 14.12.96 to 11.10.76 winners, placing the onus now upon Canterbury to work their way back in to the top 4.

In the Reserves, it was a Tom Birkett masterclass as the sections leading goal kicker showed why he sits a top the standings with a 12 goal haul, including 6 of the Animals 7 first quarter goals.

Birkett then evenly spread his remaining 6 over the remainder of the game, as the Animals ran riot against a Canterbury side unable to match the Animals around the contest.

On ballers Harry Wines and Jason Schinck roamed freely collecting possession after possession, repeatedly bombarding the Cobras defensive 50 with entries.

Returning tall Sean Bourke felt his way into the game, and by the end was back to his dominant ways as Canterbury had no answer to the onslaught, as they bowed to a 105 point defeat, a vast contrast to the previous clash.

Animals look to bury Cobras for Davis 200

It will be a case of deja vu for Emmaus when they run out on to Bennettswood Reserve against Canterbury, with club stalwart Michael Davis reaching the 200 game milestone mark.

In what looms as a vital clash in the run home for the Senior Animals, the eldest of the Davis boys will notch up the milestone in near record time. Davis holds the club record for most consecutive games with 171, a feat only stopped after a shoulder injury at the end of 2017. 

Current long term Committee member, and reigning Andrew McCormack Perpetual Trophy holder, Davis’ influence on the Animals is not just limited to the on field. A crucial cog in the day to day running and general existence of Emmaus St. Leo’s.

However, Davis and the other 21 of his teammates will be only satisfied with one way of celebrating the milestone, and that will be a crucial 4 points against a Canterbury side that sits just below the Animals in the Senior Top 4 by percentage.

The Seniors will be looking to exact revenge, after a listless second half saw the Cobras run away with the win on their home rectangle.

Nath Baranello is one of three omissions from the win in the Inner North last weekend, with Chook O’Connor and Reece Luehman also making way for Mick’s brother Harry, and the long awaited return of star defender Baxter Newbegin.

Reece Luehman will form part of a tinkered Reserves backline which will be looking for a better start than what happened earlier in the year, where the Reserve Cobras 3 goal jump to start the game was only pegged back with a Lachlan Gunn set shot with 40 seconds remaining.

A win for the Reserves will secure a finals berth, a first this decade. It would match an expectation set by the playing group at the start of 2019, if not short of where they expected to be. Nonetheless, the chance to lock away September football will be the first goal reached on what is the run to a greater goal.

Minimal changes have been made in the Reserves as well, however the notable inclusion is the return of Sean “Spider” Bourke in Animals colours, his first appearance since a serious internal injury kept him out before his departure for Europe.

Spider’s inclusion is only overshadowed by the return of Ollie Wines’ more talented brother Harry, who has also been on his own sojourn to the continent.

Wines and Spider form a formidable middle of the field, along with Jason Schinck and Tom Shannon.

Animals hampered by slow start

The scene couldn’t have been more set for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team’s final game of the season, with Melbourne providing the goods and allowing some light to shine onto Boss James Reserve as they took on the Hampton Rovers. In a season full of ups and downs, the Animalettes’ last game of 2019 was no different, with fierce determination and belief not reflected on the scoreboard a feature once again. After three being named on the bench, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team started with only one, but that didn’t stop them from the playing the game out. For their second season, the Animalettes did everyone at Emmaus St Leo’s proud. 

For 80 minutes, Hampton applied pressure at every turn, their speed through the middle unable to be matched despite some serious efforts from the Animalettes midfield, who were being rotated through with the player on the bench. Head Coach Roy Fenton lamented the first half, which saw ten goals to zero kicked. ‘We were very flat, playing behind, not being first to the footy, as well as not being able to hold onto our opposition when tackling, which is something we’ve been doing very well this year.’ Kate Lucas took an excellent contested mark in the forward 50 in the second quarter, resulting in the only score for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team all day, even as it missed just to the right. 

At half time, with nothing to lose, the coaches switched the team around and kept Hampton to just four goals for the final forty minutes. For Assistant Coach Brendan Ellwood, Kate Fletcher responded well when asked to go into the middle and be physical, with her intent helping to lift her team coming out of the main break. ‘When she has confidence behind her, she really has a crack.’ Other players who impressed both coaches were Bec Herne, with Ellwood stating that ‘she had a few beautiful plays where she attacked the footy to win the loose ball, and rebounded out of 50.’ Claire Anderson, who has been an incredible force down back all season, played the last quarter on ball despite her protests, and came out on top. ‘KL [Lucas] had some dangerous moments, and Moo [Jess Evans] ran herself into the ground even when she wasn’t getting reward with the ball,’ Ellwood lauds, albeit summing up a lot of the Animalettes’ season. Emily Kerr also impressed him, which was good to see despite her missing a large chunk of the season with injury.

In somewhat of an apparent tradition, Shellby Lonie, who did her MCL in the last game of last season, went down injured with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the umpires stopping the clock to allow her to be stretchered off with ligament damage in her ankle. 

Despite efforts from everyone involved, including the Morley sisters whose run through the midfield provided ample movement when the ball wasn’t tied up in a pack, Hampton ran away winners 13.16.94 to 0.1.1. With both teams coming into the game with nothing to lose, specifically Hampton who had already solidified their top three spot on the ladder, the scoreboard didn’t reflect the spirit the Animalettes showed on the day. 

In their second season, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team should feel nothing but pride in the way they carried themselves in 2019. The constant battle to field a side never took the attention away from how they performed on-field, nor did it lessen the amount of love and support they all have for each other off-field. The benchmark has already been set for an even better 2020.

Barra's bully in Brunswick

Many things age well, like a fine wine, good cheese, or a priceless piece of art. These are sought after items the longer they exist. The Animals would like to raise you a pair of Baranello’s. Brothers Paul and Nath were reunited on the football field again as the put on their famous “Barra Masterclass” in what was a systematic dismantling of a gutsy North Brunswick side.

At times the large Leo’s contingent simply stood in awe as Nath and Paul went about their usual business, whether it be pinpoint precision passing, vision that defied rhyme and reason, or the unique Baranello way of simply winning the football.

Despite it being Nath’s first appearance of the 2019 season, he slotted in to what was a new system for him seamlessly and lead from the front in game 200 as the Animals eased to a 98-26 victory over North Brunswick. The milestone man lived up to the day as well, sneaking around the back and receiving the hand off to line up from 50m out in the final term on a field that made playing free flowing football a challenge.

It was evident from the first how much the Animals needed to adjust to the conditions, as a wayward start saw them kick 2 goals 8 and waste several key goal opportunities as midfielders Hugh Schaeche and Brent Simons ran riot in the middle mud.

And when North Brunswick majored themselves early in the second, some nervous jitters were excusable from the gathered. They were however quickly eased when the Animals slotted the next 3 to take a handy 42-7 lead into main change. The quarter was highlighted by Nath Baranello’s hit of the year which made a sound which can only be described as bone shuddering. Clean, hard, relentless, it was your typical Baranello performance.

But the Bulls came out and doubled their previous efforts after the half. Two quick goals to start the term and the rowdy locals were up and about. Leo’s answered again with Matt Hill kicking his usual tight angle spectacular, and when Foxy Beluszar kicked truly himself the game had been well and truly blown out.

The Animals put the jandal to the metal in the final term, kicking 5 goals, including backman Joden Crothers making one of his regular journeys on the day forward to finish the game after the siren with a major to make it consecutive years with a goal.

However it was Nath Baranello’s effort which drew the most raucous approval from the largely pro-Emmaus crowd, with a sign of the moment seeing all 17 other Animals on the field mob the man of the moment.

In the Reserves, a more ruthless attitude saw a blowout win drive the Animals 2’s percentage up by 21% as they ran out 24.14.158 to 4.5.29 victors.

Tom Birkett returned with a miserly 9 to regain his lead atop the Reserve section goal kicking list. Pickles Phillips and Connor Hoetzel both marked their returns with two each, whilst even defensive star Zac “KD” Durrant found a way to impact the scoreboard

It was the epitome of one way traffic for many stages of the game, with the Animals taking an 11 goal first half, and turning it into a 13 goal second half.

Impressive in his return as well was Jason Schinck, who demanded the football and used with aplomb in the quickly deteriorating conditions in the centre square.

The wins kept both sides in fourth spot, with the Reserves now able to secure a finals berth with a win over their nearest rival in Canterbury on Saturday, whilst the Seniors will look to create a crucial 4 point gap on the Cobras in the later game.