Rivalries renewed for the Animals

Round three was another pass mark for Wattle Park, as the Reserves and Seniors got wins on the board against powerless La Trobe University sides. The Women and the Thirds unfortunately went down to La Trobe and UHS-VU respectively despite their best efforts. 

Canterbury awaits the Women, Reserves and Seniors as the triple headers continue, and Bennettswood Reserve is empty for round four as the Thirds travel to Pitcher Park to take on Parkside. 

THIRDS:

The Thirds are hoping to get back on the winner’s list this weekend and have named a mostly-unchanged side. Lee Seunghyeong returns to the team in the backline after missing round three and Dugald McNeill will play his first game for the year, while Alex Young will finally make his debut for the Animals after a couple of years around the club, starting on the bench. 

RESERVES:

Hoping to continue the form that’s seen them with two comprehensive wins in a row, the Reserves have named a strong side for round four. After a couple of weeks off the park, Zac Kearns hangs up the whistle and makes his return on the forward flank, while the Reserves gain Sam Argus and Kieren Jenkins back at fullback and ruck respectively, after a couple of appearances for the Seniors. Ray Kuhnell also dons the blue and blue for the first time since round one, starting the game as ruck rover. 

WOMEN:

A strong week on the park for the women’s side has resulted in strong competition for spots on Saturday, as well as a five-player bench for the first time this year. Lilli Fogarty returns to the side after missing round three due to concussion and will start on the wing, while Grace Ambrosini swaps the trainer top for the blue and blue jersey for her first game in 2023 at half-forward. Emma Johnson starts on the bench in her first game since round two also.  

SENIORS:

After a strong win in round three, a Seniors team has been named with a slight bit of movement. Zac Durrant will start in the backline for his first Seniors game in 2023, while Harry Davis and Guy Donovan return to the side straight into the midfield. Due to impressive showings in both the Thirds and Reserves sides, Scott McCarney will make his Seniors debut on Saturday, starting on the wing and no doubt providing the run he’s already become well-known for at the club. 

Animals too good for LTU but not UHS-VU

A trip to the zoo for the Animals has had a less-than-stellar ending, with the Thirds suffering their first loss of the year going down to UHS-VU at Brens Oval. It was a close game for the first half, if only because Wattle Park were kept in it by a misfiring home side who went into the main break, up 3.7 to 3.1. 

Unfortunately for the Animals, their inability to score in the third term gave their opposition a buffer they continued into the final quarter, where they kicked five goals to zero to ultimately win by 58 points. 

Club secretary Joe Anker took best-on-ground honours for a performance that included a goal, and was joined by Ethan Boyd and George Burgess on both the goalkicking list and the best player’s list. Rounding it out, captain Joe Caldow and Sam Cordy also performed well. 

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An eight-goal final quarter to Wattle Park’s Reserves has sealed a 98-point win against La Trobe University. Out of the blocks early, the Animals had 10 scoring shots early to take a 24-point lead into the first break, with snap shots at goal from plenty of forward stoppages, including one from Dan Quattro. Despite team efforts making it clear Wattle Park were hungrier for the ball than their opposition, it was only Anthony Smith’s two majors in the second term that provided more of a points buffer. 

The second half is really where the Animals went to work, limiting La Trobe to just two scoring shots and adding four goals of their own. But it was specifically the final term, despite arguably already having the four points in the bank, that Wattle Park showed what they truly can do. Smith and Matthew Price continued their merry goalkicking ways, as Isaac Waite and Henry Tickner also provided their own majors. 

Finishing with seven goals to his name, Smith was unsurprisingly named best-on-ground, but a bag of five goals two weeks in a row saw Price nipping at his heels on the best player’s list. Scott McCarney and captain Anthony Smith continued their strong midfield work to also get a mention, while ruck Matt Humphrey and backman Lawrence Virgo rounded out the list. 

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LTU 4.5.29

The Seniors are back on the winner’s list with a rather comprehensive win over La Trobe University at Bennettswood Reserve on the weekend. A six-goal-to-one first term, set up by Kieren Jenkins’ first major of the day after a holding free kick, really set the stage for the Animals. They then piled on another eight in the second quarter to take a commanding 57-point lead into the main break, with their opposition at a loss to match Wattle Park’s attack on the ball and their teamwork in contests. 

It only continued for the Animals in the second half, but with the game well and truly won, the foot eased off the accelerator just slightly. Joden Crothers and Bailey Hunt got in on the goalkicking party in the third quarter as La Trobe struggled to stop the chains of possessions from the Animals, before a three-goal final term for Nathan Bird iced an already very iced cake. 

Despite not returning to the field after a gnarly elbow injury in the third quarter, Hugh Schaeche still managed to take best-on-ground honours with a performance that included two goals. With twelve individual goalkickers, the Animals had no shortage of players to get the ball to. Bird and Ethan Phillips kicked four and three majors respectively to get a mention on the best player’s list, joined by defenders Baxter Newbegin and Sean Drummond after their work in the backline. 

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The Thirds head to Pitcher Park to face Parkside at 9:20am to continue their holiday away from Bennettswood Reserve, which is empty this weekend as the Women, Reserves and Seniors take to Canterbury Sportsground, welcomed by Canterbury. 

LTU too strong for gallant women

If there’s one buzzword floating around Wattle Park’s women’s team at the moment, it’s ‘building’, because slowly but absolutely surely, they are building. The first two rounds provided a really strong foundation for the season, despite the losses, and that only continued in round three, when the Animals took it to La Trobe University for four strong quarters. 

Repeated inside 50s in the first quarter put pressure on their opposition immediately and it didn’t take very long for a Rhiannon Stute kick to the goalsquare to land at Clover Hart’s feet, soccering it through to get her very first goal for the club. It was celebrations galore for Wattle Park, both on the bench and on-field before they refocused to go again. Four straight goals to La Trobe saw the Animals down by 16 points going into the first break, before the away side stretched the lead to 30 by the main break.

Wattle Park’s strong backline continued to hold up as the third quarter started, limiting La Trobe to just five scoring shots despite the ball spending most of the time in their forward 50. In the final term, arguably with their backs against the wall, the Animals didn’t drop their heads and continued fighting, despite a scoreline that didn’t accurately reflect the effort they’d put in all day. Running with the theme, two more 2023 club debutants Paige Hill and Emma Turner both got on the board with their first majors, with Turner’s being her first ever goal in her football career. 

In just her second game of football, Tegan Murphy’s performance earned her best-on-ground honours, unsurprising given her ability to see ball, get ball, while Hart, Stute, Turner, Hill and Ashton Billing rounded out the top six best player’s list. 

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LTU 12.7.79

The Women head to Canterbury Sportsground this weekend to open the day’s proceedings for another triple header with the Reserves and Seniors, against Canterbury. The Thirds take on Parkside at Pitcher Park. 

Triple header with LTU whilst Thirds head to the Zoo

It was another 50% result for Wattle Park in round two of the season, with the Thirds continuing their winning streak to get the four points over Therry Penola and the Reserves turning the lights off at Ross Gregory Oval against Power House. The Women and the Seniors both fell short against well-drilled Power House sides. 

Round three awaits us this weekend and the triple headers continue for the Women, Reserves and Seniors, who return home to Bennettswood Reserve to welcome La Trobe University. The Thirds will play their first away game of the season at Brens Oval, facing UHS-VU.

THIRDS:

A few familiar faces return for the Thirds this weekend for the opportunity to get three in a row. Jeff Riordan and Fletcher Cooper come in for their first games of the year, starting on the wing and forward respectively. Seb Morris, Jamie Whipps and David Cowell begin their seasons on the bench, joined by Daniel Casey, who is trading in the trainer shirt for the blue and blue jersey as he makes his debut for the club. 

RESERVES:

Not much needs to change for the Reserves, fresh off an important win in round two. Bolstering the side though are Nick Rodway, starting on the bench in a backline rotation, and speedy Cameron Price, whose name is written all over the wing role, as they both return to the team for the first time this year. Debuting for his first game as Animal is Jacob Hooke who will start on the bench. 

WOMEN:

After so many new faces debuting over the first two rounds, the Women will take to the field with no debutants. But for Paige Hill, Ashton Billing and Emma Ferrall, it’ll be the first time they run out in front of a home crowd, while Tegan Murphy, Elli Haylock, Jas Adern and Celine Khong return to the side after missing round two. 

SENIORS:

A mostly-stable team for the Seniors with a slight bit of restructuring has been named for round three after a less-than-stellar previous performance. Sean Drummond returns to the side after missing round two, while Mitch Lamb makes his Seniors debut and will begin on the bench. 

Women unable to power on

Despite another competitive game for Wattle Park AFC’s women’s team, Power House ultimately proved too powerful on the weekend as the sun shone down on Ross Gregory Oval. 

With a rather quick first goal of the game, the Animals started well, but a well-drilled Power House team utilised their structures through the corridor for much of the day and were able to get looks inside 50 consistently. A lull in the third quarter saw only one goal kicked each for both sides as the ball predominantly ping-ponged between the arcs.

Power House’s continued peppering of the goals in the final term saw ten scoring shots but resulted in only two majors, with the Animals’ defence strong despite the scoreline in the dying stages of the game. 

After two rounds, the effort of the Animals cannot be understated, with the connection on-field building and building. Passages of play from the weekend saw the team exit defensive 50, stringing together handballs to get the ball moving forward with speed. The willingness to put their bodies on the line for their teammates is already an integral part of this year’s side, put on display by Lilli Fogarty, whose shepherd of Jemima Clancy saw Fogarty off the ground with concussion and Clancy freely running down the wing, ball in hand. Nyari Grzyb and Clover Hart also finished the game sore after repeated efforts that didn’t go unnoticed by their teammates. 

In her first game of the year, Grzyb’s work in the middle saw her named in the best players list, as well as getting on the board with a goal, but it was club debutant Ashton Billing who took top honours after being everywhere the Animals needed her. Fellow debut player Paige Hill’s speed around the ball provided another option, and Bronwyn Slater’s efforts at fullback for a majority of the game no doubt stemmed the tide for the Animals. 

Blaire Preddey kicked her first official goal of the year after being granted a holding free kick in the first quarter. 

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The triple headers continue for the Women, Reserves and Seniors as they welcome La Trobe University the Bennettswood Reserve for round 2. La Trobe’s women’s side is fresh off a good win in round 2. 

House doesn't always win whilst Thirds pump Penola

It was all happening at Bennettswood Reserve for the Thirds on the weekend, against a Therry Penola team unable to field a side. After a team shake-up before the game, the Animals ultimately and unofficially took the game 140-15, but it was the halftime score of 71-0 that officially counts, as the second half of the game continued on with the home side sending some players to the dark side to even up the teams. 

Still, with ten goals on the board at the main break and from an array of players, not all was lost. Brendan Ellwood was up to his usual tricks again, kicking three majors, while Layton Sketcher got in on the act with two. Rounding out the goalkicking party was Darby Allen, Dylan Jacobs, Jacob Mitchell, Joe Anker and Patrick Leevers. 

Club VP Greg Rollo-Walker took best-on-ground honours, joined by key Thirds players in Nick Rodway and George Burgess. 

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TP 0.0.0

A bag of five goals in a best-on-ground performance to full forward Matthew Price has helped the Reserves register their first win of the season against Power House on the weekend. It was a first quarter blitz for the Animals with four goals on the board early, but a barrage of inside 50s in the final term resulted in six majors to really hammer the final nail in the coffin. 

Both Anthony Smiths and Dan Quattro got on the board with two goals each, and the backline trio of Nic Glanville, Zac Durrant and James Rippon were strong in defence. Connor Xipolitos continued his good form in his first season, stepping up for ruck duties when needed. 

Scott McCarney’s first game in the Twos has seen him unsurprisingly rewarded with a mention in the best players list, given his willingness to put his body on the line for his team and despite cramps literally cramping his style late in the last quarter. 

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Not even multiples goals each to Jonathan Greensides, Matt Hill and Tom Hernan could get the Seniors over the line on the weekend as they went down by 40 points. Against a well-drilled Power House outfit, the Animals were seemingly on the back foot for the majority of the game, unable to match their opponents’ speed all over the ground. 

The Animals had no answers for Power House, whose ten-goal-to-four first half set them up with the lead they maintained for the rest of the game. Miskicks and broken tackles contributed to Wattle Park’s inability to keep the ball in possession, with Power House everywhere once the ball hit the deck. 

A late rally in the final term saw from five goals from the Animals as Power House slowly started to run out of legs, but they still managed to keep a large buffer despite their 4.6 scoreline. 

Animals vice-captain Nathan Bird was best-on-ground with his work in the contest and also managed to get on the board with a goal. Sean Bourke’s work in the ruck, with a helping hand from Greensides, got him on the best players list as he tirelessly competed with tough opposition for much of the game. 

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This weekend, the Thirds travel for the first time this season, making the trek to Brens Oval to face a UHS-VU side who suffered a 53-point loss in round two. 

Continuing their triple-header theme, the Women, Reserves and Seniors return to Bennettswood Reserve to welcome La Trobe University at 9:20am, 11:40am and 2pm respectively. All three away sides are coming off good wins in round two. 

Animals poised for Power and Penola

It was a pass mark for Wattle Park in the opening round of the season, with the Thirds and the Seniors getting the win over Elsternwick and the Reserves and Women just falling short. 

But round two is upon us and it marks the first triple header of the year as the Women, Reserves and Seniors all travel to Ross Gregory Oval to take on Power House at their normal times of 9:20am/11:40am/2pm, while the Thirds stay home to welcome Therry Penola at 9:20am also. 

Once again, there are first-gamers in all four teams, whether for the year or for the club, and there’s no doubt they all add an extra string to their sides’ respective bows. 

THIRDS:

Fresh off a good win in round one, such is the nature of the Thirds side that there are many new names and faces. Will Honey will make his debut for the club, and the return of Nick Gunn into fullback will no doubt provide some more defensive pressure.

RESERVES:

It’s a rather new-look Reserves side compared to last week, with a raft of changes including both new faces and old taking the field this weekend. In good form and elevated from the Thirds, Noah Heydon plays his first Reserves game ever at fullback, while Scott McCarney will start in the midfield and James Nelson in the forward pocket. Starting on the wing is Connor Leevers, who plays his first Reserves game of the year, as does Henry Tickner in the middle. Returning players also elevated on form from the Thirds but starting on the bench are Matthew Lewis, Lachie Hicks and Tom Elliott, joined by first-gamer Jem Sibly. 

WOMEN:

A loss in round one doesn’t detract too much from the amount of work the Women’s team have put in over preseason, and they will be boosted by the return of Nyari Grzyb who will start her first game of the year as rover. The debuts of Ashton Billing, Paige Hill and Emma Ferrall will no doubt help the side consolidate their inside 50s and spend more time with the ball in possession. 

Inaugural women’s player Shannon Harris will also play her 50th game for the club, becoming just the third person to reach the milestone for the squad. 

SENIORS:

A hard-fought win in the wet was exactly the way the Seniors wanted to start the season, and the team only gets stronger with the inclusion of Sean Bourke into the ruck, backman Lawrence Virgo and Sam Barrah into the midfield for their first senior games of the year. Off good form in the Reserves, Harrison Jones will make his Seniors debut. 

Seniors and Thirds triumph whilst Reserves stumble

It was the usual early start for Wattle Park AFC on the weekend as the Thirds took the field at 9:20am, kickstarting a mammoth day for the Animals faithful, with four full games against Elsternwick and two functions. 

An early goal to Brendan Ellwood in the first quarter was the only score for the home side as Elsternwick kicked ahead to take their only lead of the match into the first break. 

Officially awake, the Animals remembered their goal kicking ways, kicking ten more majors for the rest of the match and limiting their opponents on the scoreboard to get their first win of the season. 

Ellwood did what good full forwards do, and finished the match with three goals to his name, whilst Connor Leevers and Nick Rodway kicked two each, but it was Scott McCarney’s work in the middle that got him best-on-ground honours in his first game in the blue and blue. 

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Fresh off a grand final appearance in 2022, collectively the hopes are high for the Reserves this year, and with a primetime 2pm slot, there was no better way to kickstart the season. 

Unfortunately for the Animals, the footy gods didn’t get the script. Both teams got off to a good start in the first half, with the scoreboard healthily ticking over despite the not-so-glorious weather. 

The third quarter began with Wattle Park just one point down, but that was when the cracks start to show ever so slightly as Elsternwick’s two goals ultimately gave them a lead the Animals didn’t come back from.

Dan Quattro kicked three majors to continue his brilliance inside 50. In his 50th game for the club, Baxter Newbegin was named best-on, as his move to the forward line proved fruitful enough with one goal on the board. Harrison Jones’ first-game performance, including a goal, also got him on the best players list.   

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4:45pm is normally clock off time for the Seniors but under Bennettswood Reserve’s new lights, it was game time. 

It was a tight tussle throughout the whole game, with the Animals’ inability to convert inside 50s into goals costing them a larger lead. Wet weather wreaked havoc on clean ball movement for both sides and with only seven goals kicked between them, it was Wattle Park who took the three-point buffer into half time. 

After much of the same in the third term, the deficit was just two points going into the final quarter, which provided the Animals with the perfect opportunity to keep those ghosts from games past at bay and stamp their authority on a game they arguably would have lost last year. 

The last two minutes of the game had everyone on the edge of their seats and whispering ‘I hate footy’ while meaning the complete opposite. 

Much to the delight of the Animals Family who had congregated on the pavilion, the Seniors held on for an eight-point win. Under constant pressure, the backline stayed strong to hold off an Elsternwick push. 

Understandably, Hugh Schaeche was named best-on-ground, with his work all over the ground instrumental in the Animals coming out on top, not to mention his two snags. Backman Joden Crothers also didn’t have to wait too long to get his annual goal from 50, and was crucial down back, while Tom Hernan’s first game as an Animal warranted a mention in Wattle Park’s top 6 best.  

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ELS 9.8.62

This weekend the Thirds remain at home at Bennettswood Reserve for a 9:20am start, where they welcome Therry Penola, who are coming off a terrible loss in round one.

The Reserves and Seniors are off to their first triple header of the year, taking on Power House at Ross Gregory Oval at 11:40am and 2pm respectively, following the Women who start at 9:20am. Power House go into round two with wins on the board for both teams. 

Women not deterred by narrow loss

Much has been spoken about and much has been thought about the Wattle Park AFC women’s team this season after a rollercoaster first couple years of existence. But after a preseason to steady the ship that culminated in a practice match win, a round one loss doesn’t detract too much from what they’re building. 

For the Animals to have more scoring shots in the first quarter than their opposition already speaks to the amount of growth and development the team has gone through in the offseason, but inaccuracy in front of goal, is arguably, what cost them the game.

Wattle Park were never out of the low-scoring affair, going into the first break down by just four with the forwards having seen a lot more of the ball than they’re used to. Intent to score and purposeful ball movement were highlights for the Animals, particularly in the first half. 

A few third quarter lapses meant Elsternwick were able to get the ball inside 50 too often. Despite some brilliance from first-gamer Jemima Clancy who came streaming into the forward line to score her first goal for the club, Elsternwick took a ten-point lead into the final term. 

That buffer would prove to be the difference as the Animals struggled to keep the ball inside their forward 50, but it was a valiant effort nonetheless. 

Maddy Mazar’s ruck prowess continues to evolve, meaning it’s a surprise to no one that she took best-on-ground honours after spending the whole game on the field. In their first ever games for the club, Caity Power and Elli Haylock also made the best players’ list, as did the side’s only goalscorer in Clancy. 

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A Power House side fresh off a good win awaits the Women’s side in round 2 when they travel to Ross Gregory Oval for the first triple header of the year. As usual, they will begin the day at 9:20am, before the Reserves take the field at 11:40am and the Seniors at 2pm.

Animals looking to light the 'Wick

It’s been 216 days since a team in the blue and blue last took the field, and in that time, the Animals have seen a vast number of changes, with personnel changes including Glenn Hopkins and Mel Dell’Olio taking over as men’s head coach and women’s head coach respectively, and Cam Gardner as club president, with Greg Rollo-Walker his vice. Capping off a busy off-season includes an official name change that’s been years in the making. Wattle Park AFC will run out onto the field for the first time in the club’s history on a massive day for Round 1, which will be full of firsts. 

On-field, a quadruple header awaits the Animals Family on Saturday as all four teams face Elsternwick, with the Seniors wrapping up proceedings for Wattle Park AFC’s first ever home game under lights when they run out onto Bennettswood Reserve at 4:45pm. 

But it’s the Thirds who will begin the Animals’ 2023 campaign at 9:20am, followed by the Women at 11:40am and the Reserves at 2pm. Off-field, the social calendar kicks off with two big functions as we open our doors for Past Players Day at 12pm before our annual Thank God It’s Started event begins at the final siren of the last game of the day. 

After rather large recruiting efforts in preseason, there is no shortage of players donning the blue and blue for the first time this weekend.

THIRDS

Gideon Sands returns as Thirds coach this season for her second official year at the helm, and has named eight debutants to pull the jersey on for the first time. Sam Cordy begins life as an Animal in the ruck, while Scott McCarney joins an elite midfield at his feet and James Nelson slots straight into half-forward. Rounding out the new players are Jacob Mitchell, Noah Heydon, Patrick Leevers, Tyson Henry and Seunghyeon Lee, who will start the game on the bench. Joe Caldow has been named captain, with Adam Jopling and George Burgess rounding out the leadership group as vices. 

RESERVES

An Animals favourite in Josh Webb has the reins for the Reserves side this year, and he’s selected five debutants to take the field. Jack Hernan joins a backline of many names already familiar to the Animals Family, and the midline has been overtaken by three new recruits in Mitch Lamb, Harrison Jones and Connor Xipolitos. A tough forward line awaits the opposition and is bolstered by the addition of Matt Humphrey. Returning player Ray Kuhnell will run amok in the middle, playing his first game for the Animals since 2019’s heart-breaking Seniors preliminary final loss. Captaining the Reserves this year is the younger Anthony Smith, with Matthew Price and Isaac Waite his vices. 

Stalwart backman Baxter Newbegin will play his 50th game for the club. 

WOMEN

With new coach Mel Dell’Olio making his official debut, nine players will make their club debuts this weekend, including three who will play their first ever game of football. Emma Turner and Caity Power join an already stacked backline, while Clover Hart has her name written all over the wing. Fresh off a three-goal haul in the practice match, Blaire Preddey debuts at full forward for her first game ever, with Elli Haylock providing run at half-forward and Jas Adern in the pocket. In her first game as an Animal, Jemima Clancy starts as rover, while rounding out the debutants are Tegan Murphy and Chanelle Delarue on the bench. Ebony Ratcliffe takes the field for the first time as captain, with Lilli Fogarty and Rhiannon Stute rounding out the leadership group. 

Inaugural women’s players Sheridan Harris and Bridget Monaghan will make club history when they pull on the jersey for the 50th time, the first two to reach the milestone. 

SENIORS

Under brand new lights and in front of VAFA cameras, new coach Glenn Hopkins will field a rather new-look Seniors squad, with some familiar faces making their return to the side and, going against the grain, just one debutant. Reece Luehmann, who last played for the Animals in the 2019 Reserves grand final, and Sean Drummond, whose last senior game was in 2017, have been injected into an already very strong backline, while Tom Hernan will play his first game in the blue and blue in the forward line. Returning as captain is club stalwart Harry Davis, with Nathan Bird and Hugh Schaeche joining him as vices. 

Wattle Park AFC’s season kicks off with a huge day on Saturday and there is nowhere else you’d want to be. Get down to Bennettswood Reserve and cheer on your favourite Animal!

Head to our Instagram for the full lineups here and a rundown of Saturday’s schedule.

Tantalising times await Thirds in 2023

On the eve of the 2023 season opening, the Thirds have finally learned their fate for the year, with a volatile and exciting 5th Division of Thirds footy throwing up some enticing matchups.

The Elsternwick quadruple to open the season is confirmed, with the Thirds to be the first side to play officially as Wattle Park AFC when they begin with the early start. Last year saw the Thirds win their opening game against the Wickers, before ceding the victory in the return fixture at Bennettswood.

Four new sides have been introduced in 2023, with neighbours Box Hill North, UHS-VU, and Therry Penola creating a third side, whilst Whitefriars drop down from Division 4.

The latter of the newly-created teams will be at Bennettswood in Round 2, for the first time since 2013 when the two sides shared a Seniors and Reserve division. It will be the longest trip for the Thirds when they head to Fawkner in Round 10 for a 2pm clash.

The closer trip of Box Hill North is one the Animals have not made in a number of years as well, with the surprise side on the fixture forcing a trip to Elgar Park in Round 6.

UHS-VU’s admission sees a fifth successive season trip to the zoo-adjacent oval of Brent Oval for a Wattle Park side, with the Animals hoping to reverse the recent trend of dropping games in Parkville.

Four more quadruple headers feature after Round 1 in 2023, with visits from Whitefriars on Ladies Luncheon Day, Canterbury and Mazenod in successive home games in Rounds 9 and 11, and a return match against UHS-VU in Round 15.

The round before then will see the Animals return to Melbourne High, the scene of arguably their best win in a largely positive 2022 season. The Unicorns will be out for revenge after being stunned on a windy day by the river.

A quirk of the 10-team, 16-round fixture means that only one game will be played against Parkside and Mazenod. Parkside will not travel to Bennettswood for the first time since 2018, whilst the Animals are spared the travel to Central Reserve.

Triple Header delight confirmed for Women

A quadruple header opening delight as well as thirteen games linked with the Senior and Reserve Men’s sides highlight a promising fixture for the Wattle Park women in 2023.

After a winless 2022, an off-season overhaul saw former Swinburne Uni coach Mel Dell’Olio step in to the vacant role. His appointment has rejuvenated the women’s program at Bennettswood, and the man affectionately known as “Bull” is excited about what the new season will bring.

“(I’m) as excited as popcorn in the microwave. It’s a fantastic fixture & gives us the opportunity to be amongst animals footy for more hours in the day, learning & improving from those conversations that arise as we support club mates whilst in the joys of competition. Club unity & identity will thrive if we use this time to do a little bit extra away from our playing commitments to give others those belongingness vibes.”

The new season brings the Animals three new teams in to their division, with Canterbury, South Melbourne Districts, Preston, and Elsternwick remaining from 2022. The latter the team who the Animals will open their season with at home.

A return of an old foe in Power House AFC, who the Animals drew with in 2018 at home but lost to at Albert Park Lake, will mean an exciting home and away triple header day in Rounds 2 & 9. Power House were relegated from Division 2 last season after a 1-13 record.

The one win came against fellow Div 2 strugglers La Trobe Uni, who will also slide down the Divisional pyramid in 2023. Round 3 & 10 triple header days are scheduled, with this not being the first trip to Bundoora for the Animals after playing a preseason game in 2019 against now Premier C side Richmond Central.

Old Carey will be the third addition to the division after they ended their Women’s recess after 3 years. A 6-8 season in 2019 in Division 2 did see the Panthers miss out on finals, but they will pose a tough opponent if they manage to retain their top line players.

Dell’Olio acknowledged the challenge the new sides will present in 2023, but will look to take advantage of the unknown.

“Women’s footy changes significantly from season to season, so we have to be ready for any curve ball thrown our way from all our opponents. Best way is to prepare well ourselves & developing that flexibility to adapt. Belief that we can be anything if we keep surging forward together will continually be reinforced at each challenge.”

The first eleven rounds of the season have been scheduled as such that the Senior Men and Reserves will be at the same ground as the Women, with trips to Power House, Canterbury, Elsternwick, and La Trobe Uni all allowing the Animals to coordinate their travels much easier.

It’s not until Round 11 when the sides will split up for the first time when the women head to South Melbourne Districts for a rare 2pm start, which matches the Senior Men whilst they battle Hawthorn.

After the return from the rep bye, the split continues with the Women facing a tough trip to Bulleen to take on Old Carey, followed by the infamous 4.45pm start at Preston the next week.

“Yes the late games are a bit of a challenge, as it’s difficult to work out what to do earlier in the day, when to eat, how many social things you should do before switching on, how many coffees, etc. you can only wash the car 3 or 4 times. Good thing is that these games do become things of legend if we’re able to go there & steal the chocolates so bring it on.”

The home and away season ends with triple headers at home to Power House and away to La Trobe Uni also constitute the two sides the Women will have to play three times in 2023.