Seniors look to strengthen top 4 spot

The Emmaus St Leo’s senior men are hoping to get their fourth win of the season when they welcome a down-but-not-quite-out Albert Park outfit who are looking to get their first four points of 2021 to Bennettswood Reserve. It’s a similar story for the reserves who take on the Falcons’ twos also searching for a win. The Thirds begin the day for the Animals as they face a winless Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park, while the women’s team start their new journey off in Division 4 with a bye. 

Emmaus St Leo’s come into this game fresh off a 41-point win against Richmond Central that has seen them into the top four at the end of round 5. It was arguably a fantastic return-to-form game for the Animals as they broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one after heading into the main break two points down. Defensively, they stood up incredibly well in the second half, limiting the Snakes to just 1.5 in two whole quarters of football, while simultaneously adding 7.12 to their own side of the scoreboard. Albert Park will be hoping to take a top-four scalp to begin their winning ways for season 2021 as they look to rebound after North Brunswick smashed them by 95 points.

Head-to-head, Albert Park spent 2019 in Division 4, while the Animals were competing very well in Division 3. It remains relatively similar this year despite the Falcons’ promotion as they sit on the bottom of the ladder, while Emmaus St Leo’s sits in the 4 one game clear. 

At the selection table this week, five changes have been made to the team who took on Richmond Central. Jesse Collins makes his return from injury, flanking Sam Argus who starts at fullback, while Zac Kearns takes the other side. Ben Collins and Joden Crothers are at halfback, either side of a returning Baxter Newbegin. The Animals midfield is going to hard to beat, as Tom Clarke takes ruck duties with Ethan Phillips, Hugh Schaeche and Nathan Bird at his feet, and Kieran Mair and Matt Hill will run the wings. Emerson Lemkau will join Dan Hill deep in the attacking 50 as Hill hopes to make it two consecutive weeks with multiple goals on the board, with Lawrence Virgo also making his return from injury to join Jacob Anthony, Harry Davis and seniors-debutant Isaac Waite in the forward line. Starting on the bench, Michael Davis comes back into the side, with Callum Dickinson, Jacob Glare and Sam Barrah beside him. 

This weekend marks the second week in a row that the Animals get to play at home which will no doubt play its part. Ideally, this game provides a massive opportunity for Emmaus St Leo’s to boost their ladder percentage which will continue to prove its importance the deeper they go into the season. Get down to Bennettswood Reserve and support your favourite Animals! All the action begins at 11:40am as the reserves take the field, before the seniors follow at 2pm.

House wins as Animals women go down in Pink

In the wise words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad, and that’s what Emmaus St Leo’s delivered at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday, as all three home teams ran out in pink jerseys to celebrate the sixth annual Mother’s Day ladies luncheon to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Elsewhere, the Thirds put up a fight against the Monash Blues but ultimately fell short by 64 points. The reserves humbled an unbeaten Richmond Central side, while the Animals seniors systematically dismantled the Snakes’ seniors to see themselves into the top four at the end of round five. But it was the women’s team who kicked off proceedings with their traditional early morning start as they took the field against Power House, losing by 65 points. 

Slow starts could well and truly be trademarked by the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team as it took just the first centre bounce tap down from Power House’s ruck, then two clean positions before they kicked the first goal of the game, much to the chagrin of, well, everybody else. The visitors went into the first break 21 points up, as Animals Head Coach Roy Fenton gave his charges an arguably-deserved quarter time spray for the second week in a row. It worked, just slightly, as Power House added three more goals to head into half time 42-0, but there were whisperings of promise by the Animals. 

The third quarter was their best, limiting Power House to just one goal and one point as the ball spent the majority of term in the Animals’ forward half, resulting in four behinds for their efforts. Emma Johnson was on the receiving end of a free kick, which gifted her a set shot right in front of goal. But in what is fast becoming an if-you-don’t-laugh-you’ll-cry situation, missed to the left, thus inducting her into the metaphorical Shankers Anonymous of 2021, joining the likes of fellow teammates Ash Morley and Shannon Harris, as well as Richmond forward Tom Lynch. In the final term, Power House kicked another three majors to take the game 0.4.4 to 10.9.69. 

Vic Holt was, as is clearly becoming the usual, named best-on for the Animals, with Bridget Crowe, Dee Burden, Sam Hogarth, Emma Johnson and Molly Tancred all riding shotgun and getting the rewards for their efforts on the field. 

The Animals women’s team have this weekend off, as the VAFA-restructuring of the women’s divisions has not only seen Emmaus St Leo’s out of Division 3 and into Division 4, but with a bye to begin their next phase of the year. The following week they travel to Pitcher Park to face Parkside. All three men’s teams will be still donning the blue and blue on Saturday though, as the reserves and seniors take on two winless Albert Park teams at home, while the Thirds face Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park. Even though your favourite Animal mightn’t be playing this weekend, get down to Bennettswood Reserve at the very least, and cheer on the men!

Women's coaches see positive future after Division change

After a rough start for the youthful Emmaus St. Leo’s OCFC women’s side, the VAFA have decided to regrade the side to Division 4 for the rest of the 2021 season.

The decision comes after a lamentable 0-5 start to the season for the Animals despite their best efforts, including a round 3 loss by a mere 13 points after kicking 7 behinds in the game.

The largely new and inexperienced side have made impressive strides from week to week, with improvement shown in multiple areas of the ground, however large turnover and a host of players only just beginning their footballing journeys have seen results not match the output.

The move has left Senior Coach Roy Fenton excited for a fresh set of opponents for the rest of the season.

”A new challenge against teams in a similar situation will be the best thing for this side going forward.”

Assistant Coach Geoff Koop shared the enthusiasm for the new division, whilst also praising the resilience of the side.

”They’ve seen some tough games early, and that’s a brutal introduction to league footy. Credit to the girls though they’ve kept their heads up and the effort has been there in every match to change the outcomes and show some promise.”

Koop added, “If we can work on some things on the track, and see the output actually breed some results on the field, then it will be all worth and will be climbing the ladder soon enough.”

A revised draw sees the Animals Women now have a bye this weekend, before travelling to Pitcher Park to face Parkside in their debut year the following week.

”This is a special group, the best we’ve had go through the club on the Women’s side, and Feno and I have the utmost confidence their going to take this new opportunity and absolutely sprint away with it.” said Koop, adding “There’s some good players now, and there’s some players that will become great players, this gives them a better opportunity to get there.”

Ressies and Seniors charm Snakes, Thirds hopes dashed by Monash

The Animals improved to 5-1 on the clubs biggest day as both the Seniors and Reserves struck vital blows in the race for the top 4 against rival Richmond Central.

The Seniors are now 3-1 on the day in pink, whilst the Reserves improved to 2-0.

A fiercely contested Reserves clash saw the Animals strike early and often, jumping out to a 3 goal lead early and holding that to the half. Forward tandem Dan Quattro and Anthony Smith proving a tough combo for the Snakes backline to smother, with Guy Donovan and Adam Bullivant providing spectacular service from a fiercely contested midfield.

The second half would see the Snakes discipline stumble with a contentious downfield free kick sparking a 3 goal run , and allowed the Animals to put the game out to a safe 5 goal lead.

This made for a comfortable final term as the twos landed a 5 goals to 1 quarter and a comfortable 56 point win, handing the Snakes their first loss of the year, and draw level on points at the top of the table.

A much tighter contest broke out in the televised Senior clash, with Richmond Central holding a slim 2 point lead going in to the main break.

But the long change would see the momentum dial swing wildly, and another 5 goal to 1 quarter would all but see of the contest in the third, which lasted over 36 minutes.

It did also feature the first free kick for a team kicking in not clearing the protected zone after a behind, which would allow the Snakes to grab their only major, but not until a 3 minute exchange about the ruling broke out.

The final term would see the Animals backline show its premiership potential, keeping the Snakes to just 3 behinds as the rain began to set in.

Harry Davis, fresh off organising the Ladies Luncheon all but by himself, snag 4 goals in a best on performance, with Dan Hill kicking 4 himself.

The Thirds however would not see success out at Monash Uni, as the Blues proved far too strong, despite the Animals claiming the 3rd term.

Two six goals halves by Monash Blues would be more than enough to see them re-enter the top 4, whilst the Animals stay in 6th, but drift 3 games off the top 4 themselves.

An under-strength thirds put in a performance worthy of being proud of, with Senior Assistant Luke Paramanathan taking the reins for the day as the search for a new coach continues.

Pretty in pink to take on Power House

This weekend, Bennettswood Reserve will be bathed in pink as the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club holds their sixth annual ladies luncheon and fundraise for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The aim this year is to hit the $100,000 mark in money raised over the years. Games-wise, proceedings kick off at 9:20am as normal, with the women’s team taking the field to face Power House, while the reserves and seniors welcome Richmond Central. Elsewhere at Frearson Oval at Monash University, the Thirds will take on the Monash Blues. In a first for the Animals, all four teams will run out in pink guernseys and pink socks to mark the occasion. 

It’s been an interesting week in the land of the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, with news from the VAFA that they will moving down to Division 4 after the weekend, though their opponents remain the same in Power House, who will also be making the move with them. Both teams are coming into the game on zero wins after four rounds, with Power House only above the Animals on the ladder due to percentage. Redemption will be thoroughly sought after as this game is the perfect opportunity send an important message to both Division 3 and 4. 

Head-to-head, Emmaus St Leo’s and Power House faced each other twice in the Animals’ debut season, with their first battle resulting in a draw, before Power House got one back at their home ground, downing the women in blue and blue by 19 points. It can be said though that both teams are vastly different in 2021, with this Saturday’s game set to be a fierce one. 

In team selection news, Molly Tancred has taken the fullback duties, with captain Dee Burden and Eilish Wallace on her flanks. Lilly Hutchinson, Vic Holt and Sam Hogarth will start at halfback as Susan Sohar and Ebony Ratcliffe traipse the wings. Inside, Maddy Mazar begins in the ruck, with Mel Barlow, Emma Johnson and Aisha Fairweather at her feet. At half-forward, Celine Khong and Brooke Chapman stand either side of Bridget Monaghan, with Bridget Crowe, Allie Lemchens and Eleanor Tunley starting deep in the attack 50. Sheridan Harris, Shannon Harris, Ash Curtis, Kiah Duncan, Taylia Hough and first-gamer Megan Cheng will start on the bench. 

It’s been a really tough first month for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, but despite some lapses here and there, their effort and morale has never wavered. After the weekend, there will be a whole new bunch of teams to face, so this game provides no better opportunity to begin the Animals’ 2021 season. Will the pink guernseys provide some luck? Who will be 2021’s first goalkicker? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve to support your favourite Animals and find out! First bounce is at 9:20am. 

Men suffer trio of defeats

It was a rough day across all three men’s sides, with a trio of defeats souring the start of May.

Unseasonably warm weather replaced Melbourne’s unpredictable dreariness, but the dreary feeling of defeat begun when a spirited thirds team proved to be no match to Whitefriars FC, going down by 117 points.

A 3 goal final term rescued back some respect for the Animals on the scoreboard, but were unable to undo the damage of 7 goals first and third terms by the Friars.

Despite the loss, the Thirds still hold a stranglehold on 6th.

Down the road in Hawthorn, the Reserves would suffer their first loss of their premiership defence, with a listless display seeing the twos trail early and for the game.

Anthony Smith would kick 5 on the small confines of Rathmines Road Reserve, Adam Bullivant would be best on, but it would be a dark day for the defending premiers as a lack of cohesion stifled any comeback attempt. A 38 point loss would see the Animals surrender top spot.

It would be a similar story for the seniors, as the injury bug continued to bite hard.

Injuries to Zac Durrant, Kye Roberts, and Ben Collins would leave the Animals with one fresh player for a half.

Despite straight kicking up to half time, the Hawks would keep the ones at arms length for most of the day, and run out comfortable 34 point winners.

Jack Hunt would continue his good form with the boot slotting 5, but had little help on his crusade for goals.

Women fall to 4th straight loss

It was a bad day to be an Animal on Saturday as all four Emmaus St Leo’s team went down, despite some rare footy weather in blue skies and sun. The Thirds welcomed Whitefriars to Bennettswood Reserve, who left the home of the Animals 117-point winners, while elsewhere at Rathmines Road Reserve, Hawthorn dismantled two Emmaus St Leo’s outfits, with the reserves losing by 38 points, and the seniors 34 points. And at Lindsay Hassett Oval, the women’s team were beaten by AJAX, 104-0. 

It’s unfortunately fast becoming the tale of the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, whose pressure and effort could not be faulted from the second quarter onwards despite zero scoreboard reward. A dismal first quarter start, where AJAX kicked 6 unanswered goals, resulted in a largely-justified-but-rare spray from head coach Roy Fenton which quite evidently did its job as his charges only allowed 3.3 to be kicked before the main break. While seven goals were kicked after half time, defensively, it was the fourth term where Emmaus St Leo’s stood up well, despite the consistent barrage for the whole game, limiting AJAX to just two goals. 

First-year player Ebony Ratcliffe was named best-on for the Animals, while familiar names in Vic Holt and Mel Barlow joined her with Bridget Crowe and Lilly Hutchinson rounding out the six. Carla Varani joins an ever-growing list of injured players, after coming off the ground with an ankle injury and unable to bear any weight, later confirmed to be badly dislocated. 

This weekend is a huge one for the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club, whose annual ladies luncheon is set to surpass $100,000 in fundraising efforts over its 5 years, with 2021 being the 6th year, despite no official luncheon in 2020. It’s another triple header at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday, but it’ll be all four teams running out in the pink jerseys, as the Thirds take on the Monash Blues away at Frearson Oval. The reserves and the seniors will welcome Richmond Central, as the women kick off proceedings in a must-win match against Power House, all at home. It’ll be a battle of last and second-last on the ladder and will be an arguably large answer as to the question where both teams are at five rounds into the 2021 season. 

Hunt for elusive win continues for Women

Animals spirit will well and truly be all over Melbourne on Saturday as three out of four Emmaus St Leo’s sides fly the coop and travel away for round 4. The Thirds get to remain at home at Bennettswood Reserve and take on Whitefriars at 9:20am, while Hawthorn get to welcome the reserves and seniors to Rathmines Road Reserve for 11:40am/2pm starts. But it’s the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team who return to Albert Park for the second week in a row to face divisional-newcomers in AJAX at Lindsay Hassett Oval. 

Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team are coming into this game off the back of three hard-fought losses, and despite being a sore and wounded group, are no doubt taking some momentum they gained against South Melbourne Districts into round 4. Though their effort is yet to yield the scoreboard result they desperately deserve, this weekend might very well be the day. For AJAX, they sit 3rd on the ladder, but come into this match ready for redemption after going down to Oakleigh by a goal in round 3.

Selection news for the Animals this week has Sam Hogarth starting at fullback, with Dee Burden and Eilish Wallace in either back pocket. Vic Holt will continue her red-hot form at centre halfback, and has Celine Khong and Bridget Crowe for company. Beginning the game in the ruck is Kiah Duncan, with Mel Barlow, Allie Lemchens and Emma Johnson ready to win the ball at her feet. Lilly Hutchinson and Susan Sohar will roam the wings, with Eleanor Tunley, Ebony Ratcliffe, Bridget Monaghan and Emily Kerr all starting at half forward. Deep in the attacking 50, Molly Tancred and Brooke Bishop will hopefully add some goals to the board. On the bench is Ash Morley, Sheridan Harris, Shannon Harris, Carla Varani, Ash Curtis and Amber Walker. 

The Animals are away from home for their second game in a row and will run out onto the field a strong side, with enough confidence to get the job done. Their round 3 clash was everything it needed to be but a goal on the board, and if the feeling at training is anything to go by, it’s not very far away at all. Will the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team score a major? Is it finally time for the them to get their first four points on the ladder? Get down to Lindsay Hassett Oval at Albert Park to support your favourite Animal and find out! First bounce is at 11am. 

Thirds host Friars, Twos and Ones back to Hawthorn

Bennettswood Reserve will be home to only one of Emmaus St Leo’s four teams this weekend as three of them travel for their wins in round 4. The Animals women are back at Albert Park again to take on AJAX at Lindsay Hassett Oval, while the Thirds face Whitefriars at home for their second game at Bennettswood Reserve in a row. And on Saturday, the reserves and seniors will head to Rathmines Road Reserve to take on Hawthorn in what will hopefully be a rematch of the preseason games played before round one.

It’s only by percentage that the Hawks sit in 3rd on the ladder as the Animals trail behind in 4th with both teams the only two to have two wins and a loss for the season so far. It’s been an interesting one for Emmaus St Leo’s, whose only loss is arguably one they should have won and would have seen them above Hawthorn going into this match. For the Hawks, their shock one-point loss to North Brunswick in round 1 has clearly been one they’ve been using as motivation. 

2019 was an unfortunate one for Hawthorn as their one win in division 2 sent them packing down to division 3 for 2021, while Emmaus St Leo’s fell agonisingly short in a preliminary final. 

At the selection table this week, the seniors have seen a few changes, mostly due to injury. Tom Clarke comes back into side to start in the back pocket, joined by Sam Argus at full back and Ben Collins on the either side. At centre halfback is Joden Crothers, with returning-player Bailey Hunt and Jesse Collins beside him. Matt Hill and Kieran Mair resume their usual posts on the wings, while in the middle Zac Durrant makes his return to seniors footy and has Ethan Phillips, Nathan Bird and returning-captain Harry Davis at his feet. In the forward line, Sam Barrah and Emerson Lemkau will start high, Kye Roberts and Guy Donovan will lead from the middle, and Jack Hunt and Dan Hill are beginning the game deep. On the bench sits James Moran, Jacob Glare, with Leiwyn Jones and Jacob Anthony making their seniors footy debuts off the back of some very impressive form in the reserves. 

If the preseason practice game was anything to go by, this weekend’s game is set to be an intense one. And with more than percentage on the line, the Emmaus St Leo’s seniors are going to be hard to beat. Get down to Rathmines Road Reserve to watch the reserves at 11:40am before the seniors run out for a 2pm start. 

Club Update: Rebecca Herne

The club is pleased to announce that after a scary incident near the end of Saturday’s 13 point loss for our Women’s team, that Rebecca Herne has been released from hospital escaping major injury.

Rebecca was injured late in the last quarter, and was stretchered off the field with the assistance of both Emmaus St. Leo’s and South Melbourne Districts medical staff.

After two nights in hospital, Rebecca was released this morning after suffering a bad concussion as well as bruising to her back and neck, and will be home resting.

The club wishes to thank those from South Melbourne Districts who assisted on Saturday until paramedics attended.

Everyone from the Animals Family wishes Bec the best in her recovery and we all cannot wait to see her and her bright smile back at Bennettswood as soon as possible.

Men aware it's no walk in the park

Bennettswood Reserve saw two wins on the first weekend of VAFA football as both the Emmaus St Leo’s seniors and reserves men’s teams left the field and sung the song. The wins came after the unfortunate loss the women’s team received at the hands of the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants. This week, the Animals take on the Parkside Red Devils, who are currently sitting second on the ladder.

Round one of the 2021 season started off incredibly well for the Emmaus St Leo’s senior men’s team, who systematically dismantled a Westbourne Grammarians outfit who couldn’t take a trick, going down by 72 points, while Parkside comfortably beat Albert Park as 27-point winners. 

Head-to-head, the Animals and the Red Devils faced each other twice in 2019, with the boys in blue and blue coming away winners both times to the tune of 50+ points. 

The winning team from round one has seen two changes in the lineup, with both players pulling on the blue and blue for the seniors for the first time after putting together fantastic games in the reserves.

Both Mitchell Burrows and Lawrence Virgo are unfortunate to miss due to injury. Tom Clarke and Ben Collins join fullback Sam Argus as the last line of defence, with Zac Kearns, Baxter Newbegin and Joden Crothers at halfback. Matt Hill and Kieran Mair will wander the wings, providing support to Sean Bourke in ruck, and Hugh Schaeche, Michael Davis and Ethan Philips at his feet.

Forward of the ball, formidable goalkicking duo Dan Hill and Jack Hunt will start at full-forward, with Nathan Bird, Kye Roberts, Harry Davis and Sam Barrah all with opportunities to kick majors. On the bench, Callum Dickinson and Zac Durrant are joined by seniors-debutants James Moran and Jacob Glare. 

The Animals will be looking to consolidate the comprehensive win from round one when they take the field at 2:00pm. Parkside’s 2019 was one they’d probably like to forget, but they face Emmaus St Leo’s as two and one on the ladder respectively, meaning the scene is set for a fierce battle. Get down to Pitcher Park and cheer the Animals on as they travel away from home for the first time in 2021.

Women look to bridge the gap

Bennettswood Reserve is once again home to Animals footy this weekend, as the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team take on the Hampton Rovers to get their season kickstarted, while the men’s Thirds get to the play their first ever game on home turf. The seniors and reserves are travelling away to face Parkside at Pitcher Park. 

Hampton will be looking to consolidate after starting their 2021 season on the right note, down the Oakleigh Krushers in what could have been more of a blowout had the Rovers capitalised on their forward 50 entries, finishing the game 4.13.

For the Animals, last weekend wasn’t the start they wanted, going down to the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants 0.0.0-9.15.69. Their second half was infinitely better and it’s that form they’ll look to take into Saturday’s game. Head-to-head, the Rovers are up 2-0 after two relatively convincing wins against undermanned Emmaus St Leo’s sides in 2019. 

On the selection front, five Animals will make their debut in the blue and blue, which is a far cry from the 16 who debuted last week.

Kiah Duncan is the one who is unlucky to miss, while Dani Burton is out for precautionary reasons, Lilli Fogarty misses with the fractured collarbone she suffered in the second quarter of the round one game, and Bec Herne with an injured shoulder.

Ash Curtis and Dee Burden will start either side of Eilish Wallace, who is fresh off a best on ground performance in her debut game for Emmaus St Leo’s. At halfback, Vic Holt is flanked by Lilly Hutchinson and Mel Barlow, with Susan Sohar and Emily Kerr sharing the wings.

In the middle, Molly Tancred will take ruck duties with Sheridan Harris, Ash Morley and first-game player Allie Lemchens at her feet. Ebony Ratcliffe will start at half-forward, and is joined by first-gamers Aisha Fairweather and Bridget Crowe, while Celine Khong makes the switch to forward pocket with Brooke Bishop on the other side, and Bridget Monaghan returns for her first game in 2021 at full forward.

Beginning the match on the bench is Shannon Harris, Maddy Mazar, Sam Hogarth, and Taylia Hough, with Eleanor Tunley and Maria Aloisi for their first games in the blue and blue. 

For their second home game in a row, the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team will run out onto the field confident in their abilities after regaining some form in the second half of their last game. Despite not getting scoreboard-reward for their efforts, their Animals spirit never waned and sets them in good stead to take on the Hampton Rovers.

Who will be the first Animals goalkicker for 2021? Will the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team get their first win of the season, against arguably the best team of the division? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday and find out. First bounce is at 9:20am.