Opening Day pain but outlook not all bleak

Footy returned to Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday, with Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team taking the field for the first time in many, many days. Proceedings kicked off at 9:20am against the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants before the unfurling of the Animals’ reserves 2019 premiership flag. In typical triple header fashion, the men then systematically dismantled two Westbourne Grammarians sides, while elsewhere at Melbourne High School, the Thirds suffered a loss to bring Emmaus St Leo’s day to 2-2. Whilst it wasn’t the win the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team were after, they did those watching on the sidelines very proud with the effort they produced, particularly in the second half. 

First-year players in Vic Holt, Molly Tancred and Mel Barlow ran amok in the middle, providing a spark in an otherwise dour day for the Animals as the rain fell and the Bullants consistently piled on the goals. The first half showing from Bulleen-Templestowe had them 54 points up at the main break, but a rousing half time speech by Head Coach Roy Fenton kicked his charges into another gear for the last half of the game. Despite not making an impact on the scoreboard, there were some good signs for the team going forward. 

Assistant Coach Geoff Koop believes that ‘there’s a lot of promise and potential in this group, and from all areas too.’ He lauds their reaction after halftime and ability to take it to a good side shows what the team is capable of. ‘When you have 16 debutants, either fresh to the game or still very early on in their footballing journey, there does need to be a level of expectation. That’s what makes the second half so pleasing.’

Although one player who wasn’t able to return for the Animals in the last half was first-year player Lilli Fogarty, after her valiant attack on the ball resulted in an injured collarbone in the second term.

The second half in question had the Bullants score only 1.9 after beating the Animals both on the scoreboard and to the ball in the first two quarters to go up 8.6.54 to 0.0.0. With the scoreline being relatively high, it should be said that the Emmaus St Leo’s backline stood up as well as they possibly could despite the onslaught, with debutant Eilish Wallace and newly-appointed captain and club stalwart Dee Burden embodying the Animals spirit for four quarters, deserving every bit of their best on ground commendations. Susan Sohar’s first game in the blue and blue was also best on ground worthy, with her efforts up and down the wings providing at least some run from the Animals’ halfback line. 

For Koop, he sees the slow start as the biggest area of improvement, declaring that ‘you can’t start slow 14 times a year and expect to be competitive, but with some more experience and work on the track, this side will be a difficult team to face.’

This weekend, the Animals take on Hampton for their second home game in a row, with the Rovers coming off a comfortable win on their own turn against Oakleigh. There’s a competitive edge that Emmaus St Leo’s have that will allow them to take the game to their opponents, and it all starts at 9:20am. The Animals will have some seasoned players looking to make their return, but their depth of squad won’t be the only contributing factor as they attempt to get their first win of the season on Saturday. 

Opening Day delight as Men best west, Thirds downed in the City

A dominant display of fluid football and sound structure has seen the Animals Men send a message to the rest of Division 3 on Opening Day of the 2021 season.

The Reserves watched their flag raise, finally, before going and putting a resilient yet understrength Westbourne to the sword with back to back 8 goal terms in the middle of the game. The Seniors conceded the first goal, then never looked back in what was at times, a heated affair.

Only 5 of the premiership heroes from 2019 featured for the Reserves in Round 1, with another 4 going on to play seniors. However an ominous message was sent with a resounding 125 point demolition job. Anthony Smith returned to the Animals fold with 6 majors, whilst a best on performance from Guy Donovan was also capped with 2 of his own.

The second and third quarters were the making of the deficit, as the Animals piled on 16.6 to the Warriors 1.1, and making the most of the conditions which were at the best of times, sub-cyclonic. The Animals midfield wound up early in the second, and was not to be stopped again, creating numerous forward 50 entries.

New faces caused the Warriors issues, with Dan Quattro and Matt Price presenting additional issues up front, whilst the return of Bailey Hunt, Tom Wales, and Nic Glanville saw the side’s rebound from defence at times untouchable.

Only a wayward last term, 1.12, would dampen the win, but with 43 scoring shots, accuracy will be improved on less windier outings, and please first time coach Keegan Ledder.

The Seniors would continue the dominant day, but would do so on a different path.

The scoreline would suggest a lopsided affair, and at times the Animals experience in senior footy would show, but a strong defensive effort would be the cherry on top of a decent round 1 win cake.

The game saw the return of Premiership Coach Tom Clarke to the field after a sickening ankle injury in 2018. The man affectionately known as “TC” would sneak forward and dot two goals of his own in the middle of the game, bookending a moment that sparked concern from the Animals Family when he would roll his ankle.

Strong marking from Full Forward Jack Hunt laid the groundwork for what looks to be a strong season ahead, and his 3 goal effort will not be overlooked either.

Running wonder Matt Hill paraded around the Bennettswood Reserve wings with aplomb, slotting 3 himself, including a 50m bomb to cap off a 6 goal 3rd term.

The match hit a sour note when Westbourne captain Paul Hudson saw red for a late and high bump on debutant ruckman Mitch Burrows. Burrows would not return, and several spot fires would break out leading up to the half time break, but the animosity was left in the sheds as the Animals came out and predictably performed their best kicking to the pavilion end.

Accuracy eluded the seniors with 21 behinds, however one could argue they saw the worst of the wind on the day.

The match saw the debuts of 5 new senior players, with Kye Roberts the pick of the bunch, capping his introduction with a goal, and a performance captain Harry Davis was very pleased with post match.

Over in South Yarra, the Animals third male side would go down by 122 points at the hand of youthful and skillful MHSOB side.

Harry McConnell would kick the only goal of the day for the team, which saw the club debuts of 18 players, McConnell included.

It was a tough introduction to life for the thirds, but Coach Johnny Greensides had nothing but admiration for his side and the effort they showed against the side now favourite to claim the Division 5 title.

Seniors search for the ultimate success

Bennettswood Reserve will have hopefully already been witness to two Emmaus St Leo’s wins before the senior men take the field at 2:00pm on April 10. The Animals’ women’s team take on familiar foes in Bulleen-Templestowe early in the morning to kick off proceedings, before the club finally gets its opportunity to unfurl the 2019 reserve premiers flag before they begin their 2021 campaign. For the senior men, their opponent is the Westbourne Grammarians.

2019 was an arguably disappointing season for those at Emmaus St Leo’s, as a sombre loss in the preliminary final against the Manningham Cobras was compounded as they waved goodbye to one of their club champions in Paul Baranello. After finishing 3rd on the ladder, the belief was high for the Animals to get their chance at the big dance, and a big win against Canterbury in the semi-final only added fuel to a fire that was cruelly snuffed out the following week. 2021 is no doubt a redemption year as they look to go one better. And redemption will be a familiar friend to Westbourne this year too, after narrowly missing finals and finishing 5th on the ladder after 7 wins and 7 losses.

Head-to-head, 2019 resulted in one win each as both teams ended up victors away from home. In 2021, the Animals and the Warriors will face each other three times, with the fixture dictating two of those games to be played on Westbourne’s home turf. An injection of youth into the Emmaus St Leo’s men’s squad has seen them expand to field a Thirds side this year and will no doubt help in their quest for finals glory, while Westbourne have retained some pretty key players to help in theirs. 

The team named for Saturday sees a lot of familiar faces returning, while boosted by a few unfamiliar faces who have undoubtedly impressed during preseason.

Sam Argus will start the game at fullback, with Tom Clarke, who is fresh from coaching the reserves to a premiership flag in 2019, and seasoned backman Joden Crothers either side while at halfback, there’s a formidable trio named in Nathan Bird, Baxter Newbegin and Ben Collins. Notable speedsters Kieran Mair and Matt Hill will run the wings, while in the centre Mitchell Burrows will take ruck duties as he pulls on the blue and blue for the first time off the back of a comprehensive preseason, with Ethan Phillips, Hugh Schaeche and Lawrence Virgo at his feet. Sam Barrah will run out in the forward line with the seniors for the first time despite playing two games for the reserves in 2018, joined by fellow seniors-debutant Kye Roberts, Animals royalty and returning captain Harry Davis, and Sean Bourke, who is likely to share the ruck duties also. At full forward, Dan Hill and Jack Hunt return to kick off their goalkicking tallies. No team is complete without a bench, and named on the Animals interchange is Zac Kearns, Zac Durrant, Michael Davis, and first-gamer Callum Dickinson. 

Notable outs include Baranello, 2019 captain Chris Beluzsar, Brent Simons and dynamic ruckmen Kevin Moloney and Jonathan O’Connor, all of which are not returning to the Animals, at least for the 2021 season. 

Emmaus St Leo’s men’s seniors will be looking to cap off an already-successful day for the club as they take the field at 2:00pm. 2019 ended too soon for those in the blue and blue, and despite a reserves premiership celebration that probably would have continued well into 2020, the senior men have some wrongs to right. Get down to Bennettswood Reserve this Saturday to see them begin their 2021 campaign in true Animals style. 

Women look to start new era on right note

The stage is set for a perfect day for footy to return to Bennettswood Reserve this coming Saturday as Emmaus St Leo’s first triple header of the 2021 season kicks off, with the women welcoming the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants and the men Westbourne Grammarians. The Animals Thirds will debut away at Melbourne High School against the Melbourne High School Old Boys. April 10 is not going to be a day to miss, as the men’s reserves 2019 premiership flag gets unfurled at the closing of the women’s game and before the reserves themselves take the field to begin their flag defence. 

Emmaus St Leo’s and Bulleen-Templestowe met each other twice in the 2019 season, with the ledger currently sitting at 1-1 after both teams got the upper hand when they had to travel away from their home ground. For the second year in a row, the Animals won four games for the season and sat 7th on the ladder at the end of it, while the Bullants will still be lamenting the lost opportunity to play finals as they finished one game below the top four in 5th. The last time these two teams took the field, albeit separately, was the 27th of July 2019, which was a very long time ago. 

The 2020 non-season gave the Animals the time to rue a missed opportunity, with early signs promising what would have been a great year for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team. The silver lining is that it has set them up for a very competitive 2021. In what can be described as a pretty comprehensive player turnover, there will be more than a few new faces debuting on April 10 and pulling on the blue and blue for the first time. 

Team selection news has the Animals looking as strong as they have ever been, with a full team named plus six interchanges and two emergencies. 8 returning players will again don the blue and blue, while 16 get to pull the jumper on for the first time, with both emergencies also set to make the debuts in blue if needed.

Starting in the backline is Celine Khong, Eilish Wallace at fullback and seasoned backman Bec Herne, and joining them at halfback is Mel Barlow, newly-appointed captain Dee Burden and Lilly Hutchinson. Ebony Ratcliffe and Lilli Fogarty will start the game on either wing, while in the centre of the ground Maddy Mazar will take ruck duties with Vic Holt at her feet as ruck rover, and the Morley sisters in Sarah and Ash share the midfield. The forward line is bolstered by new players in Susan Sohar and Molly Tancred, while Sheridan Harris returns to half forward. At full-forward, Shannon Harris is named, with Dani Barton and Emily Kerr either side of her. Rounding off the team is the interchange with five out of six players fresh faces in Sam Neal, Amber Walker, Kiah Duncan, Ash Curtis, and Taylia Hough, as Sam Hogarth returns after a stellar 2019 season. Emmaus St Leo’s are also boosted by emergencies in new players Carla Varani and Emma Johnson. 

Notable outs include Bridget Monaghan, Brooke Bishop, and Kate Lucas, who were arguably apart of the Animals’ best 24 in 2019. 

Footy is finally back to Bennettswood Reserve and it’s been a long time coming, meaning Saturday’s game is set to be a cracker as the women’s team hopefully set up what will be a very successful return for the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club. The numbers are high, as is the Animals spirit. How many new faces will score their first goal in the blue and blue? Whose gameday heroics are going to get everyone fired up? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve this Saturday for a 9:20am start and find out. 

A message from the Animals Committee

Dear Animals family old and new,

On behalf of the committee we are writing to keep the club community informed on the clubs plans going forward. We are going to take the next two months to conduct a full review of the clubs operations and prepare for the biggest and best year of the clubs 50 year history. Whilst we are extremely disappointed that the season was pulled at the last moment we need to use this time to set a plan for the next 3-5 years on and off the field.

Over the next 8 weeks the clubs executive have committed to the following:

• Conducting a club survey of both playing group and the wider club community which will cover areas including on-field, culture, facilities, media and engagement

• Review our current sponsorship agreements and establish a new sponsorship framework

• Review of our women's program and integration within the wider club

• Review our agreements with key partners in Deakin, DUSA, Emmaus College, Whitehorse and VAFA

• Review of all committee and coaching roles

• Conduct a risk review including a review of our policies and constitution

• Prepare a plan for our 50 year celebrations and appoint a sub-committee for the organisation and engagement

• Resubmit our proposal for new light towers at Bennettswood Reserve to Whitehorse and the State and Federal Governments

• A proposal to Whitehorse council for funding and support of a new womens participation and upskilling program, and leadership program within the club

• Appointment of new mental health officer/s to look after the clubs mental health fund and oversee the clubs welfare programs

• Create a budget for 2021 which includes repaying of any debts associated with the cancelled 2020 season

• Formalise our 3 year strategy which will include our mission, financial goals, and on-field ambitions as well as a list of major projects to be completed

We invite input and participation from all of our club members new and old. If you have an opinion on any of the above or would like to support with the review and implementation of any of the above please get in contact.

We will be in contact throughout and at the end of this process to announce our findings.

Look forward to hearing from you,

ESLOCFC Committee

2020 VAFA Season Cancelled

A VAFA Board meeting held tonight has confirmed the cancellation of the 2020 VAFA season for both Men and Women.

Naturally, we are saddened by this news, with our recent return to training seeing good numbers returning to the club and the prospect of a strong year both on and off the field.

The cancellation will not stop the club continuing to grow off the field, as we move in to our 50th season in 2021.

Emmaus St. Leo’s would like to thank everyone involved in the club. Players, staff, volunteers, partners, and sponsors have all been fantastic not only through the uncertain isolation period, but also in our brief return to the training track.

The Animals Family will stick strong through this time, the club is in a very secure position financially, and we will be ready to hit the ground running come Round 1 2021.

We will stay in contact with the Animals Family throughout this time and will hopefully have much more positive announcements soon.

Club Statement - VAFA 2020 Season

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 VAFA Season has been postponed until May 2

This means that as of today, Tuesday March 17, training sessions, practice games, and the beginning of the 2020 VAFA Home and Away season are suspended.

Emmaus St. Leo’s OCFC acknowledges this decision has not been made lightly, or an easy one, and will back any decision made by the VAFA during this unprecedented time.

Club President Glen Davis says “We are really disappointed this has had to occur, due to the success of our offseason recruiting and the growing optimism for the season ahead.”

Davis says that when we are allowed to come back, it will be all systems go.

“When we are allowed to resume footballing activities, we look forward to what we hope to be a successful conclusion to the season, no matter how that looks.”

ESLOCFC encourage everyone to stay safe, practice proper hygiene, and wish you the best during this time.

Stay tuned to our social channels, where we will have further announcements when ready and available.

Club Statement - COVID 19

Emmaus St. Leo’s Old Collegians Football Club would like to acknowledge the statement made by the VAFA in regards to the 2020 VAFA Season.

Emmaus St. Leo’s will continue to prepare for the 2020 Season to begin as normal, on April 4 with a triple header at Bennettswood Reserve.

We will also continue with our current planned schedule of practice matches, with the first this weekend at Kingswood College in Box Hill South where our Women’s side will play Swinburne Uni.

We request that if you have been feeling unwell in recent days, to avoid attending Emmaus St. Leo’s matches, practices, and events.

To read the VAFA’s statement, click here

Draw settled for Women's charge in 2020

Emmaus St. Leo’s Women’s side will have a third crack at the Division 3 after the VAFA released their 2020 Fixture.

The Animalettes will see familiar foes in Prahran Assumption, Oakleigh, Bulleen-Templestowe, and Swinburne University again, welcome new opponents in Parkdale Vultures and AJAX, and there will be the return of Powerhouse after a year away.

Newly appointed Women’s Assistant Coach Amy Ronchi was excited at the challenge staying in Division 3 gives the team

“Staying in Division 3 for the 3rd year is great for the team because it will give the girls some great competition and hopefully a shot at finals”

The Animalettes will open the year at home to Swinburne University, the only side they beat both home and away in 2019, and also a side they will meet this weekend in a practice match.

It begins a run of 4 home games in 5 to start the season, including opening the day’s play on Ladies Luncheon Day, something which Ronchi acknowledges is an important moment.

“The ladies luncheon is an important day for the club so having the chance to play before such an event is extra motivational for the team”

The only away game in that opening stretch is a trip to rivals Prahran Assumption, who Ronchi is excited to clash with again for a third year running.

“I’m excited to go up against Prahran again, they’re always a good challenge and I’m eager to see how the girls line up against them this year.”

The Animalettes finally got one over the Two Blues in their final home game of 2019, with a 3-2 win in tough conditions, and whilst the scoreline suggests a dour affair, it was anything but.

After the Ladies Luncheon game, a stretch of 4 away games in 5 then awaits Leo’s, including visits to new grounds in AJAX and Parkdale. Both sides were finalists in Division 4 in 2019, with AJAX defeating Parkdale in the Elimination Final, before going down in the Grand Final to a dominant Glen Eira side.

An even 2 and 2 split is left to end the year, with the final home game for the second year running featuring Prahran Assumption, whilst Round 14 sees Swinburne Uni bookend the Home and Away season.

All in all, only 4 “Triple Header” days await the Women in 2020, down from 5 in 2019, with Amy noting how important those days are for the club as a whole, both on and off the field.

“The triple header games are so important for the club as it gives all the players the chance to support each other and see the payoff for the hard work they’ve all put in at training. There’s nothing better than seeing Animals Hill full of the blue and the blue cheering you on.”

As mentioned earlier, the Animalettes will take on Swinburne Uni this weekend in a practice match, with their second trial against Premier C Reserve Grade winners Mazenod.

Historic moment as Womens coaching staff is bolstered

Emmaus St Leo’s 2020 season is starting off with a bang as they welcome OG women’s team stalwart and occasional goalsneak Amy Ronchi back to the club in a coaching role capacity.

This brings the coaching team to three for the affectionately named Animalettes who begin their third season in 2020, with Ronchi joining returning head coach Roy Fenton and previously announced assistant coach Geoff Koop as they hopefully lead their charges to finals for the first time.

Ronchi, who willingly admits that the offer was the last thing she expected, is just glad to be able to stay around the club despite not being able to play due to injury. It was in round 9 of 2019’s home and away season that a dislocated shoulder ended Ronchi’s season too early and resulted in a trip to the hospital. While the injury kept her from playing on-field, her involvement with the club off-field didn’t falter, coming to trainings and games and still making an impact. While her first reaction may have been a surprised laugh, it’s safe to say that when she brings that level of commitment to the assistant coaching role, it’s only going to make her that much better in it.

Important committee member and on-field warrior Michael Davis is incredibly proud of the way Emmaus St Leo’s supports their community with personal development, both on the field and off it.

“When Amy showed an interest in coaching, it was something that we fully got behind as the next step in her football journey.”

He also cites the fact that she already knows the group and can not only bring a player’s perspective to the coaching panel but a female one too is a major drawing card and will be extremely beneficial. The female perspective is an important point to make, given the appointment of Ronchi as assistant coach marks the first time in Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team’s short history that they have a female coach, which is something Ronchi herself hadn’t thought about.

To come back to Emmaus was a no-brainer for Ronchi, whose return is due to the people and the environment of club.

“I’m not quite ready to leave the women’s team yet and am excited to see how well they do this year.”

Her role as assistant coach is to liaise between Fenton, Koop and the team to make communication more effective, and it’s a role that really means a lot to her.

“I love being involved in both the club and the women’s team so being invited back to coach is really exciting and flattering.”

Emmaus St Leo’s 2020 campaigns begin again tonight, with preseason back after the Christmas break for a 6:30 start. Bennettswood Reserve is the place to be, with the sun shining and blue skies lighting up the oval in the best way. Training is likely to follow on from December, with a mix of fitness and ball skills while new faces and old will be welcomed with signature Animals pride, laughter and commitment.

The path to the premiership set for 2020

The road to the premiership in 2020 has been laid out for the Animals with the release of the Division 3 fixture.

The 2020 VAFA Division 3 draw sees a return to regular programming for a VAFA season as 10 teams once again make up the section.

Hawthorn (Relegated from Div 2), Albert Park, South Melbourne, and Elsternwick (Promoted from Div 4) top up what was a depleted section with the promotions of Aquinas and Manningham.

The Animals open up the season by meeting all 3 newly promoted sides, starting with Elsternwick on April 4.

Unofficially, the last match between the two sides was a 6 quarter practice game in March of 2019 that saw an extended Animals side easily account for the “Wickers” at Elsternwick Park, however 4 points will be on the line when they meet at Bennettswood Reserve in Round 1.

A visit from South Melbourne a fortnight later after the Easter Break will be followed by a trip to what will be more of a construction zone than a football precinct when the Animals head to the lake to take on Albert Park on ANZAC Day.

The Animals now annual Ladies Luncheon will see Richmond Central pay a visit, one of the sides who were swept aside in the Reserves magical run to the flag. With May 9 now locked in for the date, stay tuned for more details on the 2020 edition of this fantastic event.

The season will feature breaks on June 6 for the Queens Birthday Long Weekend and July 4 for the VAFA Representative Round.

A tough 7 game run home faces the Animals after the break with trips out west to face Westbourne and a final round visit to rivals Canterbury will test Leo’s before the finals series.

Make sure to stay tuned for Membership options for the 2020 season, Player announcements, as well as the eventual release of the Women’s fixture closer to the start of the season.

Assistant Coach Jarrod McMaster departs ahead of the 2020 Season

Emmaus St. Leo’s OCFC regret to inform that Jarrod McMaster has stepped down from his role as Senior Men’s Assistant Coach for the 2020 Season.

Affectionately known as “J-Rod”, he helped Senior Coach Ian Ledder guide the Seniors to a Preliminary Final in 2019, and was also prevalent in the Reserves run to a Grand Final victory.

Off the field, McMaster was a welcomed addition to the Animals Family, and a keen attender to social events including the Mental Health Night.

The search for McMaster’s replacement has begun.

The entire Animals Family wishes Jarrod and his family the best.