Reserves coaching role has new Luke ahead of flag defence

Reserves coaching role has new Luke ahead of flag defence

Christmas has come early for those at Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club, with the confirmation of a new man at helm of the men’s reserves team for the coming 2020 season. Outgoing reserves head coach Tom Clarke is one from one in terms of years coached and premierships won but is stepping down to continue his playing career, which leaves room for Luke Paramanathan to take the reins. Luckily for Paramanathan, he already knows that the blue and blue is a good look, after having been involved in the success of the reserves in 2019 when he came in as an assistant coach in the middle of the year.

The responsibility isn’t lost on Paramanathan, who is honoured to have even been considered for the coaching role, let alone actually getting it, stating ‘the club has shown a lot of faith in me, and I plan on repaying it.’ He’s excited by the opportunities and challenges he knows he’ll face especially as he aims to learn as a coach. ‘Once of the hardest things in football is sustaining a period of success. It’s one thing to be at the top and win a flag, but it’s another to try and be there over an extended period of time.’ The team he is now in charge of had a stunning finals series, claiming the premiership after ending the home and away season in 4th position on the ladder.

Paramanathan’s eyes may be firmly on the best prize of them all, but his goals for his time at Emmaus St Leo’s aren’t to just add more silverware to the cabinet. One of his focuses will be development, and not of just his own his personal coaching skills but he’ll also spend time with a lot of the reserves to hopefully see them break into the senior team on a consistent basis, believing it to be one of the ways the club can define itself. ‘It’s a way I can leave a mark at Emmaus St Leo’s and put the club in a successful position for years to come.’

Preseason has already kicked off for the Animals, with a month of hard, fitness-based sessions to see both new players and old into the Christmas break. The camaraderie that Emmaus St Leo’s prides themselves on has continued to show despite the physical and mental challenges thrown their way. With one more session left before everyone leaves Bennettswood Reserve for the last time in 2019, it’s easy to see why it’s been the place to be for so long and will continue to be as everyone supports and encourages each other. The appointment of Paramanathan is just further proof that once you get invested at Emmaus St Leo’s, you won’t want to leave. Preseason is back up again on the 29th of January to kickstart the 2020 campaigns all of teams, so hold yourself to at least one New Year’s resolution and be there, it’s set to be a good one.

Four more!

Four more!

2019’s best first year player, “inner Animal” of the year, clubman of the year, and a third-year player returning from injury walk into a bar…if that bar is the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club in 2020.

Four important pillars of Animalettes footy in Rhiannon Stute, Tara Ingham, and sisters Sheridan and Shannon Harris, are returning for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team’s third year. Stute, who unfortunately spent the better part of 2019 watching from the sidelines through injury, is hoping to surpass the four games she played and instead provide a vital part in her team’s year, on field this time instead of off field. After finally being able to confirm that she was coming back, it’s no surprise that one of the reasons is the sense of family and support. ‘The freedom I feel on the field, and the camaraderie for not only the girls on the team but the club are the reasons I want to come back.’

And those sentiments are shared by Ingham, who was named best first year player at this year’s presentation night, and “inner Animal” of the year Shannon Harris. ‘Emmaus St Leo’s has such a great group of girls who I’m proud to call my teammates and my friends, so that left no doubt that I’ll be back playing and training with the blue and blue next year,’ Ingham says, with Harris stating that she’s incredibly proud of the culture that has been cultivated at Emmaus St Leo’s, between all three teams. ‘I want to play footy again because it’s a place of belonging.’

For clubman of the year Sheridan Harris, along with both her sister and Stute who also played in both Animalettes seasons, being a part of the first women’s team has instilled in her a huge sense of loyalty, which only became so much bigger when she joined the committee and started contributing as a member of the communications team in 2019. ‘Growing up, footy has always been a huge part of my life, so being able to play for the last two years has been the best. There was no doubt in my mind that I’d be coming back to Emmaus St Leo’s for 2020.’

The coming season brings with it obvious intentions, with a flag believably on the horizon for all four women returning, but they know that it’s not the be-all and end-all. Stute hopes to get through the season unscathed and without injury, while the “inner Animal” herself hopes to add some more goals to her tally. But the underlying theme prevalent in the reasoning behind all four players returning is that they want to continue growing an environment that encourages women to play footy, whether they’ve played 100 games or 0, as well as building a strong foundation for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team for years to come.

For Emmaus St Leo’s in general, 2019 ended with the reserves men’s team taking home the silverware and it’s something that everybody who was there will remember forever, with the victory being a consistent favourite part of the year amongst most of the Animals faithful. Pre-season for all Animals officially begins on the 18th of November at home at Bennettswood Reserve, where quests for flags will undoubtedly start the only way those in the blue and blue know how.

Ledder and McMaster return to finish the job in 2020

Ledder and McMaster return to finish the job in 2020

Senior Coaches Ian Ledder and Jarrod McMaster have both agreed to return to Bennettswood in 2020 to chase the ultimate success.

Both Ledder and McMaster joined this year from the St Kevins OCFC program, and have breathed new life into the Animals Men’s squad, with the Senior side making the finals for the first time since 2015, where they fell ultimately short in the Preliminary Final against Manningham.

Ledder was excited about what was in store for 2020 after the strong end to the 2019 season.

“Coming off a successful 2019 season with two excellent finals appearances one of which we saw a victory, 2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year.”

“We have built a strong foundation across the board to launch a seriously competitive campaign.”

Outgoing Animals President Alex Maunder had nothing but praise for the pair after their first season.

“I’m very excited to announce that Ian Ledder and Jarrod McMaster will be returning to lead our Senior Men’s team in 2020. Ian and Jarrod worked tirelessly this year to bring new energy to the group, with a strong focus on game plan and making the most of the qualities of the playing group”

After a 2018 season which saw the Animals relegated on the final day of the season, both Ledder and McMaster ran an intense pre-season program which saw the Animals open with a 55 point win away to Parkside, and cap off a day which saw all three Animals sides win that day.

Their ability to keep the team going through a month long break in the middle of the season was crucial at the pointy end of the year. After losing 5 of 6 games going in to the bye, the ledger was reversed and they stormed home making the top 4 comfortably winning 5 of their last 6, including being one of 3 sides to win at Westbourne in 2019.

A commanding win in Week 1 of the finals over Canterbury was the crowning achievement of the year, as the Animals dominated the Cobras in every facet of the game to take a 5 goal win.

The committal of the Senior Coaching panel is the first of a long list of crucial cogs in the Animals Family announce their intentions to stay in the family in 2020.

“With the retirement of some experienced and exceptional players, the club will attack the up coming season with a group of young men with considerable passion and drive.” Said Ledder.

“I am positive this playing group and those that will join the club, will fill all the requirements to

ensure further success for the animals.”

Key Animals Men recommit for 2020

Key Animals Men recommit for 2020

Fresh off their inclusions in the 2019 Division 3 Team of the Year, Matt Hill and Brent Simons have recommitted to Emmaus St. Leo’s for the 2020 season.

The Animals fell just short of an immediate return to Division 2 when they were overcome by Manningham in the Preliminary Final, a game that Hill goalled in to bring Leo’s back within 2 points late in the 3rd term.

Hill was one of a select few who played every game for the Animals Senior side in 2019, kicking 16 goals, and knows to be selected in the side is no mean feat.

“It was a huge honour of which I was not expecting especially considering the year of another Animal wingman.”

“To be acknowledged and put in a team with some high quality players is something I'll cherish forever.”

Simons, who finished equal 6th in the VAFA and Animals Best and Fairest counts, had a standout return year at Bennettswood Reserve, but didn’t think he’d done well enough.

“Honestly I was pretty surprised to make TOTY, especially considering some of the talent getting around in our league. Huge thanks to the veterans in our squad. They do an outstanding job of leading our club, both on and off the field.”

Whilst the man nicknamed “Brenna” is stoked with the acknowledgement of his season, he knows there are bigger things on the horizon.

“While receiving individual accolades is humbling, they hold little value in comparison to team success. Regardless of what team you play for or what league you’re in, winning flags is the ultimate goal. We have taken massive steps this year as a club, highlighted by the success of our Reserves team.”

Both Hill and Simons were part of a star-studded Animals midfield which will look to go one better in 2020, but Hill points to a different reason as to why the Tasmanian looks to make Bennettswood his home long term.

“We may not be in one of the higher divisions but on pride, culture and mateship this club is unbeatable and I'll be an Animal for life.”

And Simons couldn’t agree more.

“I’m stoked to be a part of this massive family during this very exciting time for the club, plenty of success to come in 2020 down at Bennettswood Reserve!”

All members of the Animals Family both old and new will report back for the beginning of a massive preseason on November 18 at Bennettswood Oval.

Fenton returns for third year with new right hand man

Fenton returns for third year with new right hand man

It's said that most good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that is the case for the 2019 coaching duo of Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team. For the last two years, Roy Fenton has been captaining the ship as head coach of the affectionately named Animalettes, and in their second season, Brendan Ellwood jumped aboard as his assistant. But due to a busy schedule, Ellwood, who started his Animals career as women’s team manager in 2018 before elevating his position in 2019, is sadly passing on the baton.

But it’s also said that when one door closes, another door opens, and fortunately that is the case for Emmaus St Leo’s very own head of communications, Geoff Koop. For the last two years, he’s been keeping the Animals faithful updated on all things blue and blue but in 2020, his role is set to change. To that of assistant coach for the Animalettes. And he couldn’t be more excited.

As for what attracted Koop to the role, he states his work with two of Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team constants in Bridget Monaghan and Maddy Hogan, specifically in the ruck during the year, plus his experience in coaching the Animalettes for one game during the season sets him in good stead for the year to come.

‘Seeing the fantastic results there sparked in me a desire to coach I didn’t know existed.’

He also names working with a coach like “Feno” as a big draw card to the role of assistant coach.

‘This is a guy who has been involved in the game for 50 years now. He’s watched the game evolve to where it is now, and to draw off the experience is just invaluable for someone like me just entering this facet of the game.’

Specifically in 2019, Koop was well-known for letting his passion show, much to the amusement of those around him and it’s this side of him that he believes bodes well paired with Fenton’s cool and calm demeanour.

‘I think it will help bring the best out of everyone in the team.’

Fenton, who’s never been a man of many words and enjoys keeping it simple;

‘loves coaching the girls, loves what he does, and loves the club’, and admits that he ‘gets on well with Geoff, loves his enthusiasm’ and believes that he and Koop can bounce some great ideas off of each other.

The 2020 season will be Fenton’s 50th year involved with the sport, with coaching being just one of the many hats he’s worn throughout his footy career and maintaining that he’s ‘not finished yet’.

Shellby Lonie, breakout star and eventual Best and Fairest Winner of 2019, loves Koop’s contagious game-day energy, believing he has the potential to bring something exciting to the team in 2020, and looks forward to ‘seeing Geoff transition from “the media guy” to “Koopy, the assistant coach”.’ Fenton’s 50th year is also something of a highlight for Lonie, who can’t wait to help him celebrate.

Outgoing club president Alex Maunder is filled with excitement to be finally able to announce ‘current club communications guru’ Koop as Fenton’s righthand man for the 2020 season, lauding his commitment to the club.

‘Geoff has been a vocal supporter of all things Animals, but his commitment to seeing the women’s team develop saw him take on an unofficial mentor role and it’s awesome to see him make this official for next season.’

Maunder also can’t speak more highly of Fenton himself, with the head coach’s ‘positivity and ability to keep morale high’ despite a challenging year with injuries, impressing him the most this season.

‘Roy has truly ingratiated himself in the club and we are excited that this will continue in season 2020.’

On a sadder note, he also thanks Ellwood for his hard work, intensity and passion, and contributions to the women’s footy program. In some capacity, his love for the club and the women’s team means he’ll still be contributing in any way he can.

Whilst 2020 will only be Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team’s third year, Koop is looking to go one further than their first two years, with an immediate goal for him being seeing if his charges can break the 5-win marker, though he laments that a flag should always be the long-term aim.

‘I honestly believe that when we have everyone we possibly can on the park, we are a very dangerous side. We’ve already got some new players for 2020 who have shown a lot of potential for the season.’

For Koop, having one foot in the door and one foot out since the Animalettes’ debut, he’s just excited to play a part in helping them take the next step, whether it’s working with the second and third year players or assisting the new players gain confidence in their skills. The last two years have set a solid foundation for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team and with a slight coaching shake up for the season to come, the Animalettes will for sure be the ones to watch. They’re building something incredibly important at Bennettswood Reserve and it’s only going to get better from here.

Animals secure historic Flag with three quarter comeback heroics

Animals secure historic Flag with three quarter comeback heroics

Emmaus St. Leo’s ended a 14 year club wide flag drought, and in doing so, saw a group cement themselves into Animals folklore.

A finals series full of comebacks, was capped off by the ultimate comeback, seeing a 15 point half time deficit erased and replaced by a 10 point win at Garvey Oval.

Tom Birkett goalled twice, including the game winning goal in the last term to earn B.O.G honours, giving his direct opponent nightmares all day. Birkett showed late why he was the runaway winner of the Reserves Goalkicking award in 2019 as his superior off the ball movement and strength saw him shake his opponent, then out run him, before slamming home the major which put the Animals in front late in the contest.

Birkett’s movement caused issues all day, and provided space for the other forwards to move freely after quarter time, when forward 50 entries were more plentiful. 

However at quarter time it was understandable to wonder if any of the forwards would be able to impact the contest.

Aquinas used a decent breeze to kick well clear at the major change, as they kicked 4 of the first 5 goals and were well in control. Harry Wines, a clear standout himself on the day, slammed home the Animals only goal of the term off the deck from the goalsquare, which at the time saw Aquinas pegged back a 5 point margin

That would spur the Bloods on, and they had their own Grand Final hero in Jaycob Baxter kick 3 first term majors to push a 19 point quarter time lead.

But the second quarter saw the Animals we’ve become used to seeing in 2019, and shrugged off a sluggish opening term to pull the lead from a game high 26 points to only 15 at the main break. Birkett slamming home his first would be the start of an Animal onslaught.

Aquinas kicked their sixth and last goal of the day at the 7 minute mark of the 3rd term, and the lead pushed back out to 13 points after the Animals had got the first of the quarter.

They would kick 3 more points for the rest of the game.

Jason Schinck kicked only his fourth goal of the season after some fantastic work by Harry Wines, and then Tom Birkett to keep the ball in play, then Emerson Lemkau kicked his first of the day and suddenly the Animals were humming.

When Lemkau kicked another to start the fourth, the strong contingent that made up “Animals Hill” began to believe the impossible was on the cards, and the seed was planted.

Multiple Aquinas forward 50 entries were repelled, with Fraser Walker and Michael Mazzeo continuing to hold strong down back, and the Animals rebound game featuring Adam Athorne, Darcy Burke, and Zac Durrant was feeding a midfield that was slicing and dicing in the last.

Harry Wines, Ethan Phillips, and Sean Howard would pepper the Aquinas backline with terrorising entries, and eventually the wall broke, with Alex Stokes bombing long, and Birkett working his way through the contest to slam home the eventual game winning goal.

By the time Zac Kearns outworked his direct opponent and two others to snap round his body and seal the game, “Animals Hill” was bouncing. Kearns’ “lap of honour” ensuring he hi-5ed everyone on the fence signalled that the contest would only end one way, and when the siren went mere moments later, pandemonium ensued. 

Animals Hill stormed Garvey Oval, and the biggest party to hit Bennettswood began.

The game served as a final hurrah for long standing Animal and Co-Captain Adam Athorne as he hung up the boots a champion, doing so holding the cup aloft with good mate and fellow Co-Captain Steve Jones.

Outside of the 22 players that were successful on the day, 38 other men ran through the Reserves in 2019. 60 total players ranging from a singular game like President Alex Maunder who played admirably down back, Jordy Rodda who had an outstanding debut for the Animals in the first game of the year against Parkside before succumbing to a season ending ankle injury in the clash, 2 gamer Sean “Spider” Bourke who returned from Europe and played a vital part in a crucial win at home to Canterbury, charismatic Vice-Captain Nic “The General” Glanville who had his season ended by injury and served as runner during the Grand Final.

Adam Jopling, Charlie Simpson, and Tom Buick were the 3 changes from the Preliminary Final squad, with only one forced.

Charlie Simpson was unavailable for the clash, after playing a crucial role in the Prelim win. Simpson’s poise and agility proved too much to handle late in the deteriorating conditions. Tom Buick’s wing play and deep kicking was crucial in the Richmond win early, creating chances to see the Animals control the contest early. Adam Jopling was the last change made, and was a crucial part of a Reserves backline that was more than stout in the final 6 games and ensuing 2 previous finals. 

All 3, plus the other 35 involved in 2019, will be more than ready in 2020 to defend the flag they so thoroughly deserved.

Premiership coach Tom Clarke, who took on the role after the start of the season, will pursue playing in 2020 with the Animals, but will go down amongst some storied Animals as a flag leader. His ability to handle the challenges of a large playing group, and balance with ensuring success will not be soon forgotten, especially down the stretch. 

By his side, Kim Ledder helped provide expert assistance and proved why she is being scouted by multiple VFLW sides for their 2020 campaigns. Her tactical nous swung many a contest the way of the Animals.

Luke Paramanathan was also brought in late to help Clarke and Ledder in locking away success in 2019, and will be a crucial part of the defence of the flag in 2020.

Jonathan Greensides, one of the 60 players who featured in 2019, saw his campaign end in the Elimination Final when he once again was plagued by a troublesome shoulder. His willingness to help the squad out from the coaches box showed a selfless side many outside the club would be unaware of.

At the end of the night, a large contingent of past and present Animals congregated and belted out the club song one last time as a family, in the new clubrooms which were finally christened with their first flag, and potentially the first of many to come.

The importance of a flag to a club like Emmau St. Leo’s, no matter what side claims it, cannot be underestimated. Animals young and old, new and longstanding, came together both in Bundoora and back at Bennettswood to celebrate the achievement. It is the clubs 24th in history, but only the fourth this millennium and the first this decade, meaning the club only just avoided its first flagless decade.

But the positives don’t cease after October 18 when the club holds it’s presentation night, but the push for the Reserves to defend their flag in 2020 as well as the motivation for the Seniors to go one step further, and for the Women to achieve their first success in the history.

2020, Year of the Animal.

Animals ready to Garvey it all in Grand Final

Animals ready to Garvey it all in Grand Final

Well he we are, a Reserves Grand Final.

Two weeks ago before this fateful campaign begun, the plucky bunch of twos from Burwood were written off by many before a ball had been kicked in anger, but the Animals had other plans.

In week 1, it was a systematic dismantling of a much fancied Manningham side. At times artistic, at others clinical. It set a tone.

Week 2 however was pure heart. A 22 point half time lead whittled away and eviscerated, only for a plucky well crumbed goal with 2 minutes to go to swing the match and seal a grand final berth.

That, against a team that had both times eeked out frustrating wins against Leo’s.

Which brings us to the Grand Final. Aquinas.

Aquinas have won both clashes against the Animals in 2019 comfortably, and have been the number 1 club in Division 3 football across both grades. A club destined for the pastures of Division 2 next year will be looking to leave on a high.

But this is an Animals side built to destroy dreams, and there’s one left tomorrow.

Three changes, one forced, are made to the side who’s determination and desire left all observing in awe.

Charlie Simpson is unavailable for the clash, and is replaced by Kieran Mair, who was a shining light for the Seniors last week. Adam Jopling and Tom Buick are the two unfortunate players who will not be a part of the game on Sunday, with Harry Wines and Co-Captain Adam Athorne coming in, the latter potentially playing his final game for the Animals.

However Jopling and Buick, like all who will be watching from the sideline, will be a crucial part of the game tomorrow. The Animals family is set to descend on the northern outskirts in droves.

Nothing gets the Animals Family to migrate like a Grand Final.

An 11.40am start will allow plenty of time afterwards to celebrate the season no matter the outcome, and you can expect the boys in the Twos to do their best to bring their own cup to the party.

Reserves team.png

Premiership quarter costs Seniors

Premiership quarter costs Seniors

The saying goes that the third term is the premiership quarter, and if that is the case, the Animals definitely did not capitalise.

After taking a slender 5 point lead at the long break, Manningham would kick 6 of the 8 goals snagged in the second half to take a 15 point win and secure promotion from Division 3.

For the Animals, it was a bitter pill to swallow after what had been a superb run at the end of the season which saw them win 6 of their last 7 leading into the game.

The game was played in conditions more suitable to water polo than fast paced football, as already set in rain continued to fall for the entire first half. Both teams struggled skill wise, with multiple drop balls, and countless stoppages as at times the ball stayed stagnant, sans the occasional relieving clearance. However for the decent crowd assembled in the wet, it would do little but shift the congestion to a different part of the field.

Manningham would strike first, but the Animals would lead at quarter time as Jack Hunt kicked truly from the same spot Captain Chris Beluszar had only just missed from before. Paul Baranello would have shot on the siren after getting collected illegally, but would fail to record a much needed score.

The second quarter was the definition of wet weather footy. Neither team refused to budge an inch as the footy was locked in contest all quarter.

Both sides would nudge the ball forward occasionally, only to see it locked down once again.

Then right on half time, the long sleeved Hugh Schaeche won a free kick on a tight angle on his wrong side. That would soon not matter as a 50m penalty took him right in front and he took a one point Manningham lead and made it a 5 point Animals lead.

Manningham then came out a changed side in the 3rd. Kane Maghamez escaped the clutches of Lawrence Virgo and would break the game open as he kicked the Cobras clear.

But the Animals refused to lie down, unless forced, and when captain Chris Beluszar was on the receiving end of an illegal bump, a red card swung the game the Animals favour.

Matt Hill would slot his now commonplace tight angle finish and gave the Animals hope just before the end of the third, but a vital Manningham goal just before the siren would all but seal the deal.

The deal would then be sealed after the break, as Manningham doubled their lead. Maghamez would strike twice and prove why he will be crucial to the Cobras in Division 2.

Kieran Mair would goal late to provide hope to the more ardent of Animals in the crowd, but time would waste away and Manningham would end the Animals Senior season.

Two's two minute miracle

Two's two minute miracle

With two minutes to go in Sunday’s Preliminary Final, a man who gave himself all 6 available player votes during a game in the season justified his bluster, and in turn gave the Reserves a shot at the ultimate glory, a Reserve Grade Flag.

Zac Kearns was on hand to shark the ball and roll it from 20m out in the driving rain to snag the winning goal after the Animals had conceded a 22 point half time lead, putting an exclamation point on a breakout year for the dynamic small forward.

It was Kearns’ third of the afternoon, and it sunk Richmond hearts faster than the weather turned foul in Donvale.

It was the change in weather at half time which proved to be the turning point in the match, with the Snakes more at home in the dour conditions. Their bigger bodies of Central tossing their weight about and creating chances as they snuck their way back in to the match.

A four goal to one quarter erased all the hard work the Animals had done in the dry in the first half. Tom Birkett was back up to his usual shenanigans, as he kicked four goals in the first half to stamp his authority and leave no doubt who the premier forward of the section is.

Kearns chimed in with Emerson Lemkau as well, as the Animals lead 52-30 at half time, and left the field confident of a next week.

But then the rains came.

Birkett would snag his fifth of the contest after a superb one handed grab in the goalsquare to stem the flow for a moment, but Richmond Central pushed back hard.

Tom Shannon in the fourth term gave the Animals the lead back with half a quarter to go with a crucial set shot, but the Animals were unable to hold on and with 5 minutes left the Snakes hit the front.

But Zac Kearns had other ideas, and wasn’t ready to bow out of 2019.

He bobbed up and broke Yellow and Black hearts as the rain settled in, and so did the realisation it was the day of the Blue and the Blue.

Immediate Promotion rests on Preliminary Success

Immediate Promotion rests on Preliminary Success

Preliminary Finals, the gate keeper of the Grand Final.

Only success here allows you to go forth to the promised land. Failure leaves you to lament a failed campaign to come so close and yet feel so far away.

Defeat in a Preliminary Final is a pain that burns for 12 months. To come so close, only to fall just before making the Grand Final, for the proceeding 5 months all to count for naught, it’s unbearable.

But the joy, oh the joy. It’s a win which inspires more belief in not only one’s self, but in your team. A sudden burst of inspiration that you are now just one win from the ultimate glory.

For Emmaus St. Leo’s tomorrow, they will go through the rollercoaster of a Preliminary Final twice, successively.

Well executed wins by both Seniors and Reserves mean that Whitefriars College will be turned blue as the Animals journey north to Donvale to have two separate cracks at making the big dance.

Two shots at glory.

To understand why this is so big for the club, you first need to read the words that were spoken by long time Animals Chook O’Connor on Thursday night at Team Dinner.

“Finals don’t come around often, let alone both teams in a Prelim. It’s been a while since we’ve been at this stage. Enjoy it. Enjoy the feeling.”

O’Connor is one of six Animals that saw a seemingly insurmountable lead slip in the 2015 Division 3 Grand Final, and saw the Animals lose their first game of that year.

Chook will run out at Centre Half Back on Sunday for the 150th time as an Animal, joining the recent flurry of milestones Leo’s have been celebrating of recent. The Animals are undefeated in 2019 when celebrating a milestone.

Dan Hill makes it a double celebration, as the crafty small forward plays his 100th for the club. Hill has been one of the surprise packets of 2019, coming in late in pre-season and the season proper to stake his claim as a vital part of a forward line which when firing on all cylinders, has been found to be unstoppable.

One of the sides that have found a way to stop it are the opponents in the Seniors, at least in their most recent clash.

In the vast plains of Koonung Reserve, one of the worst days in Melbourne weather history served to help Manningham shut down the Animals, and the weather report for Whitefriars College doesn’t read pleasantly either for the free running, gun slinging Animals.

“Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of showers, most likely during the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Possible hail. Winds west to northwesterly 30 to 45 km becoming westerly 20 to 30 km/h in the late afternoon.”

Cheers BoM.

But Manningham will need more than the weather to stop the Animals on Sunday. The return of Harry Davis up front is the only major change going in to the clash. The Co-Captains hamstring coming up the goods before the big clash.

Coach Ian Ledder’s usually shuffling of the magnets between the midfield and the forward line will see Manningham get several different looks from the Animals attack, and potentially some new problems.

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Then there’s the Reserves.

They already dealt with Manningham’s reserve side last weekend, knocking over the more fancied Cobras comprehensively on a beautiful Saturday in Bundoora.

The reward, a revenge date with Richmond Central, a team the Reserves have felt they should have dealt with twice, despite losing both.

The Reserves do lose Co-Captain Adam Athorne for the clash, but regain Fraser Walker, fresh from Senior experience. 

G-Train’s size and strength will be crucial in out-muscling a large Centrals reserve side, who are hellbent on making sure the Monday after at work is a tough slog.

The two’s also see little change, but do see Will Morris clamber on to the bench, with his height set to trouble the Snakes back 6, and also see Ethan ‘Pickles’ Phillips make a return from injury. Pickles was in fine form for the Seniors before going down against Richmond Central in Round 18.

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Animals bury Cobras in a canter

Animals bury Cobras in a canter

The sun Melbourne had gifted us on Saturday trailed into Sunday, but it brought with it threats of rain as the day wore on. Showing your allegiance in a club hoodie probably made you too warm, while baring your arms might have sent you looking for the jacket you could have sworn was in the back of the car. But the changes in the weather didn’t bother Emmaus St Leo’s seniors who recovered well from a less-than-fantastic start to their elimination final and held off a Canterbury Cobras outfit to see themselves into a preliminary final.

The Animals seniors may have met the season’s expectations by finishing top 4, but their relatively sluggish start had supporters and coaches alike wondering who it would be to break the line and fire up their teammates. For those following along at home, the scores going into the first quarter break, which had Canterbury up by 18, would have most likely sent a scare through the Animals camp, who were all still riding the high of the reserves’ elimination final win from the day before. Jack Hunt kicked the only goal for Emmaus St Leo’s, providing a bright spark in an otherwise Canterbury-laden quarter, much to the displeasure of Animal Hill, who’d taken up position right beside the scoreboard and would remain there for the match.

Six must be the magic number for the Animals, who came out of the quarter time huddle fired up and piled on 6 goals in the second term to kickstart their finals campaign, if but a little bit late. Hunt added to his tally with a snap kick that sailed through, and Hugh Schaeche was good early, his defensive pressure a thorn in Canterbury’s side, making matters for them worse, and adding insult to injury with a goal of his own. Jesse Collins showed no signs of the sickness he’d had for most of the weekend, slotting two late quarter goals to see his side head into the main break 19 points up. The Animals backline had apparently taken notes from their reserves’ teammates, and denied their opposition any chance at goal, with Canterbury only managing two points in 27 minutes of play. A shining light for Canterbury, particularly in the first half was their ability to win the ball out of the congestion, with players free for the handball receive. But the Animals tightened their defensive pressure in the second, denying their opposition those opportunities.

The rain started at the end of the half time break, and didn’t let up for the last half. But it didn’t deter Harry Wines, whose efforts in the reserves saw him selected for the senior team. He did what he does best, with his midfield work crucial, specifically at the beginning of the third when his efforts began a chain of possessions that resulted in a goal. For Canterbury, it was case of there being two ‘Hills’ high enough to stop them from getting the win, with both Dan Hill and Matt Hill (no relation) hitting the scoreboard for a combined effort of five goals, with three of them coming from third quarter where they were apparently the only ones given permission by the footy gods to score majors for the Animals.

With the rain still tumbling down at Whitefriars College, Emmaus St Leo’s stalwart and captain Chris Beluszar joined the goalkicking party in the fourth, with a key clearance from his Animals midfield allowing him the time to collect, turn, and kick, all in the space of twenty seconds. The celebrations came from everywhere as the Emmaus St Leo’s contingent allowed themselves a tiny moment to believe. Fired up, fellow Animals warrior Paul Baranello launched a kick from 50 out, which failed to make the distance until a shepherd on the goal line from Hill allowed the ball to bounce through, much to the confusion of those taking down stats. In a rare sight, Canterbury had an opportunity to score from straight out, but the Animals went coast to coast quickly and through movement on the wing, making them pay with another goal from Dan Hill. Jesse Collins’ best on ground performance finished with another major, taking his tally to three.

At the final siren, the rain came down harder as Canterbury were left scratching their heads at how they allowed a three-goal, first-quarter blitz to slip through their fingers. They finished 8.8.56 while Emmaus St Leo’s ended on 13.8.86. The Animals’ ability to put defensive pressure, which seemed to be a running theme through the weekend for the Emmaus St Leo’s teams, on each and every player, won it for them.

This weekend, in the preliminary final, the Animals face the Manningham Cobras, who lost to Aquinas in their Saturday semi-final, and will be looking to lock down their appearance in the grand final. First bounce for the seniors is at 2:30pm, after the reserves play Richmond Central in their own preliminary final at 12:00pm. Get down to Donvale on Sunday and watch the seniors hunt!

Animals eliminate mistakes, Cobras, to set up prelim with Snakes

Animals eliminate mistakes, Cobras, to set up prelim with Snakes

Emmaus St Leo’s reserves team may have stumbled into finals, but at Garvey Oval for their elimination final, under brilliant, shining sun and the bluest of skies, stumble the Animals did not. In what was an expert showing, the Animals systematically dismantled a Manningham Cobras side that could barely save themselves. In stark contrast to their last encounter, with conditions touted unplayable and the end result being a low-scoring affair, both teams came out with a point to prove, but it was Emmaus St Leo’s who came out on top at the final siren.

There’s bleeding for the cause, and then there’s two players coming off with the blood rule five minutes into first quarter, which immediately set the tone for the day. Hard, defensive pressure denied Manningham at halfback every time they got the ball through the midfield. Despite their efforts, the Animals only went into the first break five points up after a monster grab from Lachlan Gunn in the square resulted in the only goal of the term.

‘Animals Hill’ was well and truly alive during the second quarter, with Jonathan Greensides seemingly forgetting he was indeed playing football instead of soccer if you were to go by his goal celebration, much to the delight of the Emmaus St Leo’s seniors who’d come for support despite their game being the day after. Flynn Normand also used the support from the sidelines to boost his performance, launching a ball from what was probably outside 50 and goaling. Emerson Lemkau, who starred for the Animals all day, began his scoring efforts thanks to a contested mark and then a 50-metre penalty.

Heading into the main break up by 24 points though Manningham were lucky it wasn’t more, spirits were high, with a subtle feeling blanketing the Animals group of what might be possible.

Hunger and intent had been prevalent throughout the first half, and it didn’t let up going into the third quarter. Despite Manningham getting their first goal of the game on the back of an unfortunate free kick, the Animals revelled in the experience of playing in a final, taking their chances when they presented themselves, and properly earning the rewards they were getting for their efforts. Sean Howard, in the most obvious attempt at selling candy did so, before sending an ugly ball through the big sticks. In two separate moments, Zac Kearns and Greensides, thanks to the work of their midfield, were able to collect ground balls on the 50 metre line and kick running goals, much to the chagrin of their Manningham defenders who had been left in the dust and were nowhere to be found. Tom Birkett’s aerial efforts have always been second to none, and Saturday was no different, with his movement in the forward line finally yielding a scoreboard-result late in the third term after a contested mark, to give his team a 47-point lead at three quarter time.

At the start of the fourth quarter, ghosts of games past threatened to rear their ugly heads with Manningham putting on a three-goal blitz, before the Animals steadied the ship, unwilling to be beaten in the final term and kicking six of their own majors to finish off a stellar four-quarter performance. Birkett and Lemkau both added to their game’s tally with two more each, while Kearns kicked his second and Jason Schink joined the party, toying with the opposition and snapping truly. Proving that you apparently can’t have the good without the bad, Greensides left the field with an unfortunate shoulder injury, though he’d done his job early and contributed two goals for the game.

Those who had to pick best on ground had their work cut out for them, with efforts from every player crucial to Manningham’s defeat. Josh Webb had a day out, crunching tackles and leading from the front with his hard, defensive pressure. Garvey Oval was like Kmart just before Christmas, at least for Manningham, who didn’t have the space to move, with pressure on the ball carrier causing panic and mistakes the rare chance they’d gotten the ball clean. Alex Stokes once again showed his prowess in the ruck, with very Grundyesque ground work allowing his teammates more chances at the ball and earning himself another mention as one of six best on ground. The crowd at Garvey Oval might have possibly seen him spin out of trouble once or twice too. The Animals contingent would be hard-pressed to not be impressed by the backline, who stood strong all game, with their superior positioning allowing them to send the ball straight back out of defensive 50 if by chance it had snuck through the brick wall that appeared to be at halfback. For their efforts, they limited Manningham to 4.12.36 at the final siren, with Emmaus St Leo’s finishing 15.12.102.

Manningham will be left to rue their missed opportunities early, with their first half scoring shots all resulting in behinds. After the second quarter, with the Animals tightening up their defence, the Cobras didn’t stand a chance against a team whose first instinct was to hunt. Next up for the Emmaus St Leo’s reserves is Richmond Central, whose semi-final loss against Aquinas sees them return to Whitefriars College and aim to redeem themselves for a grand final berth. The 12:00pm reserves game will precede the senior Animals taking on Manningham who start at 2:30pm. Get down to Donvale on Sunday and see the reserves sizzle!