Second half slump stalls finals push

The Animals were unfortunately kept firmly caged when they made the trek over to the zoo-adjacent Brens Oval to face top-of-the-ladder UHS-VU, ultimately going down by 28 points despite some early ascendency in the first half.

With the knowledge the weather was likely to turn in the latter stages of the game, the Women started relatively strong, eager to get on the scoreboard quickly. The ball spent a majority of the time in the first quarter between the arcs as both teams struggled to get inside 50, with one forward push yielding what would be the Animals’ only goal of the year off the boot of Rhiannon Stute, whose consistent 2023 form continues. The second term left the home side with a few chances to get ahead as they kicked to the scoring end but they were unable to capitalise, with the Animals taking a 5-point buffer into half-time. 

Like the other three Animals sides, the third quarter was where the game changed for the Women, as the weather conditions, losing first-year stalwart Jemima Clancy halfway through the second quarter to injury and a renewed purpose from UHS-VU left the Animals on unstable footing for the rest of the match. Few opportunities in front of goal gave the Women no way to get back on the scoreboard as their opposition managed three goals in the third term, before kicking two more in the fourth from a collective nine scoring shots across the half to seal the deal. 

The usual suspects of Ashton Billing, Jas Ardern, Clover Hart and Lilly Hutchison round out the top four best players as they continue their impressive form, with Hutchison backing up her 2022 efforts and the three first-year Animals proving how integral they are to the side. 

With four games left of the season going into the VAFA representative bye, the Women sit just outside the top 4 with five wins, seven losses and a percentage of 72.95%. 

WP 1.4.10

UHS 5.8.38

Big name returns for Women, President answers Senior call

Round 12 is upon us and brings with it opportunities to get back on the winner’s list, or continue some good form leading into the second VAFA bye of the year. Another weekend of the Animals cohort spread all over Melbourne sees the Women make the trek over to Brens Oval to face ladder-leaders UHS-VU, while the Thirds stay at home to take on their own UHS-VU squad, both at 9:20am. Rathmines Road Reserve awaits the Reserves and Seniors as they look to rebound against Hawthorn. 

THIRDS:

A few changes have been made to the ever-changing Thirds side, with Jordy Rodda returning to the midfield to hopefully boost the clearances and Josh Tatterson switching out the umpire’s shirt and whistle for a blue and blue guernsey, starting at half-forward. 

RESERVES:

Like every squad, the Reserves also sees some rather new faces as Flynn Normand gets his first gig as an Animal in awhile, starting on the wing. After returning to the field last week in the Thirds, Sam Davis gets his chance in the twos, his magnet at centre half-forward, while vice-president Greg Rollo-Walker plies his trade on the back flank. Connor Xipolitos also comes back into the side after some time away. 

WOMEN:

Eager to take another ladder-leaders scalp, the Women will have a full bench of rotations for the first time in a couple of weeks, and will enjoy the return of a few faces. Captain Ebony Ratcliffe slides straight into the ruck rover role, while the backline is boosted by Alayna MacKirdy and Poppy O’Shea in the back pocket and centre half-back positions respectively. Emma Ferrall also returns for her first game since round 8 and will start on the bench as the wing rotation. 

SENIORS: 

A largely similar Seniors team from last week takes the park on Saturday, but as custom, welcomes some new faces in positions all over the ground. For his first ever ones game, Matt Humphrey will start in the forward line, while club president Cam Gardner plays his first Seniors game in quite some time, but will start on the bench as the backline rotation. Returning to the team is Sam Argus on the bank flank, Bailey Hunt in the midfield, Jonathan Greensides to the forward line.

Women dominant in the wet to whack Snakes

An eventual dirty day at Bennettswood Reserve started brilliantly in a history-making day for the Women, who registered their fifth win of the year and subsequently became the most successful women’s team of the club’s history, surpassing previous years’ records of four wins. A quarter-time deficit was the only smudge on an otherwise strong performance for the Animals as they ultimately ran away 22-point winners against Canterbury. 

The game itself started rather slowly, before Canterbury fired shots first to score the first goal of the day, instilling in the Women a subtle sense of competition they didn’t feel for much of their first encounter earlier in the year. With the ball spending much of the first quarter between the arcs, it took a trademark Jemima Clancy snap from inside 50 to steady the Animals ship and see them into the first break down by just six points. 

It wasn’t until the second quarter where, riding the momentum they’d turned their way in the first, the Women got to work. They not only limited their opponents to just one behind, but managed to get three of their own goals on the board as their ability to keep possession earned them their rewards. A free kick to Caity Power in the forward line delivered just one of the goals that dribbled in as she kicked the ball off only one step to see it sail over the pack of players that had formed in the goalsquare, before bouncing ever-so-slowly over the line for her first goal as an Animal. Two majors to goalkicking maestro Paige Hill, including one that somehow missed both opposition player and goal post gave the Animals a hefty lead of 11 points going into the main break. 

Missed opportunities in front of goal during the third term did nothing to stop the Women in their quest, knowing the job was far from over despite the lead as Canterbury continued to push their case. But the Animals pushed back harder, and with a 14-point lead going into the last quarter, a famous victory was well on the cards. A rather cold backline left the field at the final siren as the ball spent the last twenty minutes stuck in the Animals’ forward half of the ground. The pressure and hunger had been there all game, but it only increased for the final term as Canterbury’s attempts to clear the ball only resulted in it getting bombed back in for another contest. Another goal to Hill solidified not only her efforts, but the whole team’s ability to keep their opportunities flowing. Another mark in the club’s history books for the Women’s team sets them in good stead for the remaining games of the home and away season. 

Continuing her brilliant first season in the blue and blue, Clancy topped the best players list, joined by her regular partners in crime Hill, Ashton Billing and Clover Hart, while inspired performances from everyone’s favourite Animal Maddy Mazar and second-gamer Liv Walker sees them round out the top six. 

With five games left of the regular season, the Women sit fifth on the ladder with their five wins, six losses and a percentage of 78.35%. 

WP 5.6.36

CAN 2.2.14

Men snakebitten at home

THIRDS:

On a tough day for the whole men’s squad, the Thirds put on a spirited performance in the final game of the club’s last 2023 quadruple-header, going down by 68 points to Canterbury under the Bennettswood Reserve lights on Saturday.

A low-scoring first quarter by both teams did nothing to set up the seven-goal blitz put on by Canterbury in the second, with the Animals at a loss on how to stop the speed of their ball movement and ability to get inside 50. Down by 53 points at the beginning of the third term, a Davisesque shot at goal from Sam Davis on the 50m line delivered the Thirds their first major of the day, before a Brendan Ellwood mark right in gave them their second and final in the last quarter. 

In his second game of the day, Thirds backbone Padric Leevers took best-on-ground honours, joined by swingman Darby Allen, vice-captain George Burgess in his return game from injury, trainer-turned-key-defender Daniel Casey, Dylan Jacob and Jacob Mitchell who rounded out the top 6. 

The Thirds sit in eighth position on the ladder at this stage of the season, with three wins, eight losses and a percentage of 58.12%. 

WP 2.7.17

CAN 13.7.85

RESERVES: 

An out-of-character, goalless first three quarters has seen an undermanned Reserves squad suffer just their second loss of the 2023 season, this time at the hands of Canterbury, as they were comfortably beaten by 78 points on the weekend. Missing key players was always going to leave the Animals with a tough mountain to climb. 

A constant Canterbury barrage of six, four, and five goals in the first three quarters respectively robbed the Animals of any momentum as they contributed just five behinds to three-quarter-time. Three final term goals to Jeff Riordan, Ray Kuhnell, and Joe Anker steadied the already long-gone ship after good team plays to get some confidence back in the later moments of the game. 

Club secretary Anker took best-on-ground honours, while Sean Bourke, Kuhnell, Jack Hernan, president Cam Gardner and Lachie Hicks rounded out the best players list.

Despite the loss, the Reserves still sit on top of the ladder, with their nine wins, two losses and a percentage of 165.15%. 

WP 3.6.24 

CAN 16.6.102

SENIORS: 

Another undermanned and misfiring Seniors team will be left to rue missed opportunities after dropping their fourth game of the season, suffering at the hands of Canterbury by 22 points at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday. 

Canterbury burst out of the gates when the first siren sounded, making the most of their opportunities in front of goal as the Animals struggled in their forward half, before a textbook Zac Kearns goal kept them within 17 points at the first break. The second quarter continued like much of the first, with the Seniors unable to get their footing and Canterbury taking the advantages at every turn. A goal each from Reece Luehman and Matt Hill kept the Animals afloat just slightly but were still unable to gain any momentum. 

With the weather and the state of the ground arguably wreaking havoc on both sides’ ability to move the ball cleanly, it was Canterbury who still controlled possession for the game. Limited scoring in the third term saw the home side with a large enough deficit going into the last term.  Unable to get a major on the scoreboard and with just two behinds to show for their efforts, the Animals struggled to peg back the margin in the fourth quarter, despite Canterbury only kicking one goal as the final nail in the coffin.   

Unsurprisingly, backman Joden Crothers took top honours as best-on-ground, joined by Luehman, Kearns, Mitch Lamb, Ethan Phillips, and Scott McCarney. 

Eleven rounds in, the Seniors sit two games clear in fourth position, with seven wins, four losses and a percentage of 140.20%.

Final quad header sees returning faces

Another pass mark for Wattle Park was round 10 of the 2023 season as the Reserves and Seniors took home wins against La Trobe University, while both the Thirds and the Women ultimately fell short against quality opposition.

The final quadruple-header is upon us for this year in an Animals v Cobras battle as we welcome Canterbury to face all four sides. The regularly scheduled programming of the Women at 9:20am, Reserves at 11:40am, Seniors at 2pm and Thirds at 4:45pm when all four teams are at home returns, so make sure to get down and support your favourite Animals for a big day. 

THIRDS: 

For the second time in two weeks, only one Davis will take the field this week as Sam Davis makes his return in the blue and blue for the first time since the Reserves elimination final of 2022, starting at centre halfback. Returning from injury after missing since round 6, Thirds vice-captain George Burgess comes back into the side into an already strong forward line, joined by the also returning Brendan Ellwood. 

RESERVES:

Leading goalkicker Matthew Price returns, after missing since round 7 due to injury, to a rather new-look Reserves side this weekend as Zac Durrant comes back into the backline, his last game round 3. On the bench, club vice-president Greg Rollo-Walker makes his appearance in the blue and blue for the first time since round 8 in the Thirds, Matthew Lewis after missing round 10, Padric Leevers in his Reserves debut, and Nick Rodway, who hasn’t played for the Animals since round 7 for the Thirds.

WOMEN:

A few key players return for the Women who will no doubt be looking to repeat their heroic efforts last time they faced Canterbury. Ashton Billing comes back into the side straight into the ruck after missing round 10, while Caity Power’s dash boosts an already strong forward line as she makes her first appearance since round 8. Starting on the bench is Thirds coach Gideon Sands for her second game of the year, and Bronwyn Slater, who returns after an injury in round 9. 

SENIORS:

It’s again changes aplenty for the Seniors side, with movement all over the ground. Both Tom Elliott and Jem Sibley will make their Seniors debuts as the backline and midfield rotations respectively, while Dan Hill will start on the bench in his first game in the ones this year. In the forward line, for his first Seniors game ever, James Nelson will start, and is joined by Isaac Waite for his first Seniors game this year.

South Melbourne with too much pride in the rain

A wet and windy Lindsay Hassett Oval awaited the Women, who made the trek for a rare 2pm start on Saturday and went down to a South Melbourne Districts side out to prove a point during their club’s Pride match. 

The Animals were on the back foot early as their opponents’ ability to win the centre clearances meant their forwards were getting constant supply, despite the weather conditions dictating the other end of the ground might have been the scoring end instead. Down by four points at the first break, the Women came out in the second quarter hoping to have adapted quickly to the wind, and they had, but unfortunately weren’t able to capitalise on the scoreboard, until a textbook Paige Hill goal in the dying minutes. From an Emma Johnson long bomb inside 50, Hill expertly took possession of the ball after a ground contest, before snapping truly and being mobbed by her teammates.

The third quarter continued in a similar vein to the first half, with the weather wreaking havoc on both sides’ attempts to get their ball to the respective forward lines. The Women themselves were unable to continue the momentum they’d arguably wrested back before the half-time siren as South Melbourne managed to get another major on the board to take their buffer to 11 points at the final break. 

The Animals’ pressure on the ball increased in the fourth quarter, but starting the game with just one on the bench and a few injuries to players throughout the day meant they struggled to get moving with speed. A final-term goal to South Melbourne let the proverbial wind out of the Women’s sails, ultimately going down by 18 points.

The midfield brigade of Clover Hart, Jas Ardern, Elli Haylock, Maddy Mazar, Lilli Fogarty and Johnson were the side’s top six best in the hard-fought loss. 

At this stage of the year, with four win, six losses, and a percentage of 70.38%, the Women are sitting fifth on the ladder. 

WP 1.3.9

SMD 4.3.27

Trobe no trouble as Thirds get Friar'ed

THIRDS:

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Thirds, who were tasked with facing ladder-leaders Whitefriars at home at Bennettswood Reserve and were ultimately defeated by 138 points. 

The away side jumped out of the gates in the first term to get seven goals from 12 scoring shots, before Wattle Park slowed them down just slightly in the second. Two consecutive 50m penalties gifted the Animals their only real chance at goal in the second, but it was an otherwise lopsided game, despite 80 minutes of solid effort from the entire squad. A few terrific passages of play and chains of possession throughout were the only rays on sunshine for the home side. 

It was once again the usual suspects for the Thirds who were best-on-ground, with Patrick Leevers, Darby Allen, Lachlan Killeen, Sam Heydon, Nick Gunn, and lone goalkicker Noah Heydon the top six. 

Ten rounds into the season, the Thirds sit seventh on the ladder with their three wins and seven losses, and a percentage of 62.59%. 

WP 1.0.6

WHI 21.18.144

RESERVES:

It’s getting harder and harder to find new words to describe the Reserves and their winning ways as La Trobe University again joined the list of teams the Animals have dismantled this year. A slow start to the game saw the home side up by 8 points at the quarter-time break, before the Reserves got their act together in the second term to take a 14-point buffer into half-time. 

The Animals went goalless in the third term as La Trobe cut the margin, but in true Reserves form, they showed everyone why they are on top of the ladder with their fourth-quarter performance. The boys in the blue and blue kicked five goals from nine scoring shots while starving their opposition of the ball, who only managed just one behind for the final 25 minutes, to run out 37-point winners. 

Dan Hill was back to his old tricks, kicking four goals, while both Anthony Smiths managed to get on the scoreboard and were joined by Jordy Rodda, Ray Kuhnell, and everyone’s favourite Animal Michael Davis in his return game. Harrison Jones was named best-on-ground, with Henry Tickner, Lachie Hicks, Liam Elso, Rodd and two-goal Smith rounding out the list. 

Unsurprisingly with only one loss on the board, the Reserves still have first on the ladder in their grasp, with nine wins and a percentage of 197.53%. 

WP 10.12.72

LTU 5.5.35

SENIORS:

A five-goal haul from Seniors stalwart Nathan Bird has seen the boys down La Trobe University by 71 points at TS Sheehan Oval on the weekend. After going goalless in the first term and taking a 6-point deficit into the first break, the Animals came out in the second eager to get on the scoreboard. Four goals from twelve scoring shots allowed the Seniors to get the game on their terms as they limited La Trobe to zero score.

The third quarter had both sides scoring relatively freely but missed opportunities inside 50 to the home side kept the Animals further in front, before a foot-to-the-floor, seven-goal final term well and truly got the boys over the line. 

Joining best-on-ground Bird on the mutiple goalkickers list was Baxter Newbegin with three, while Scott McCarney, Ethan Phillips, Ben Collins, Guy Donovan and Tom Wales rounded out the top six best players. 

At this stage of the season, the Seniors are fourth on the ladder, with seven wins, three losses and a percentage of 147.16%. 

WP 14.12.96

LTU 3.7.25

Changes aplenty ahead of travel weekend for Animals

Wattle Park edges closer and closer to a four-team clean sweep as the 2023 season continues, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be in round 9 as the Thirds suffered a defeat at the hands of Box Hill North. Victorious again were the Women against then ladder-leaders Preston, and the Reserves and Seniors against powerless Power House sides. 

But round 10 provides another opportunity for the Animals squads as they spread out all over Melbourne on the weekend. A wet Bennettswood Reserve awaits the Thirds, who get the prime 9:20am slot when they welcome top-of-the-table Whitefriars, while the Women make the trek to Lindsay Hassett Oval to face South Melbourne Districts in a rare 2pm outing. The Reserves and Seniors will take on La Trobe University at their usual times of 11:40am and 2pm at TS Sheehan Oval.

THIRDS:

Against a tough side, the Thirds will be boosted by the return of Nick Gunn to fullback after last playing in round 8, joining the Heydon brothers in Sam and Noah on the flanks who are both in good form. Cody Jager comes back into the side, starting in the forward line after also missing round 9. 

RESERVES:

It’s always at this stage of the season where it’s standard for teams to be in a state of flux and this week’s Reserves side is no different. After a strange couple of weeks with the Animals running out onto the park Davisless across the three men’s squads, a Davis of the Michael variety makes his long-awaited return in the blue and blue, his magnet placed at centre halfback. Adam Jopling returns to Reserves footy at fullback, while the on-ballers get the skillset of Sean Bourke, who slots straight into the ruck role. A rather new-look forward line compared to the past few weeks sees Ben Severin and Will Mayne starting deep inside 50.

WOMEN:

Nine rounds in and the Women are still naming names for the first time, with this weekend’s debutant Olivia Walker finally making her first appearance in the blue and blue after a couple of fantastic weeks on the training track. Blaire Preddey will make her long-awaited return to the side, having missed since round 4’s drought-breaking win due to injury, boosting the forward line with some extra height but will start the game on the bench. Emma Turner also comes back into the side, starting forward after not having played since round 6, with her ability to play everywhere no doubt likely to be a thorn in the Animals’ opposition’s side. 

For the first time, vice-captain Lilli Fogarty will run the team out onto the ground as captain.  

SENIORS:

A rather stable Seniors side has been named for Saturday, with only two changes being made to the winning round 9 squad. Seasoned Animal Tom Clarke returns to the team after some time in the Reserves, in a somewhat different role than his usual, beginning the game at centre halfback. Boosting an already strong midfield, Sam Barrah comes back in as the bench rotation after a run in the Reserves also. 

No power at our house, despair at Elgar

THIRDS:

A low-scoring affair at Elgar Park has seen the Thirds go down by two goals to Box Hill North on the weekend. Both teams are left to rue some early missed opportunities to get major scores on the board, but after taking 1.5 to 3.4 into the main break, it’s the Animals who drew the short end of the stick. The second half of the game continued in a similar vein to the first, as both sides struggled to get a foothold, before Box Hill North ultimately ran way 12-point winners. 

The Heydon brothers in Sam and Noah topped the best players’ list, while Khush Talati’s two goals gets him a mention as well. Rounding out the list is usual performers Will Honey, Lachlan Killeen and Dylan Jacob. 

Nine rounds in, the Thirds sit seventh on the ladder with three wins, six losses and a percentage of 78.32%. 

WP 2.9.21

BHN 4.9.33

RESERVES:

Not even a scoreless final quarter could stop the Reserves from continuing their glorious run of form as they extended their winning streak to eight games in a row, defeating Power House by 18 points at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday. The Animals were straight out of the gates in the first term, with nine scoring shots to zero allowing them to take a 34-point lead into quarter time, thanks to three goals from Anthony Smith, before Power House steadied the ship albeit slightly in the second. 

With the sting out of the game, the Reserves continued peppering away as their opposition struggled against their ball movement. Two goals in the second term followed by two in the third had the Animals up by 38 points at the final break, but the footy gods still had more to say as Power House made one last rally to try and get the game on their terms. Despite not adding to their score and allowing their opponents to score 3.5, the Reserves ran out winners.

In his 50th game, stalwart Reserves backman Nic Glanville snuck forward for a sneaky goal, but it was his work all over the field that earned him a best-on-ground mention. Consistent performers this year round out of the rest of the best players’ list, with Henry Tickner, Tom Elliott, Matt Humphrey and Lachie Hicks all contributing to a strong Reserves squad, as did Tom Clarke’s two-goal effort. Sam Barrah and Dan Quattro also managed to get on the scoreboard with one and two majors respectively. 

After their only loss in round one, the Reserves have further cemented their spot on top of the ladder with eight wins and a percentage of 196.84%. 

WP 9.5.59

PH 6.5.41

SENIORS:

A five-goal final term has righted the wrongs of the Seniors’ last encounter with Power House, defeating them by 40 points after an otherwise even game. Only three goals were scored in the first term but the Animals started the second down by seven points, before majors to Zac Kearns, Kieran Mair and James Moran slowly kickstarted the team into gear. 

Despite another Saturday full of miskicks at goal from both sides, the Seniors kept their noses in front to take a seven-point buffer into the final quarter, where five individual goalkickers showed their class in front of the big sticks, as the Animals’ 11 scoring shots saw them home by the largest margin of the game.

Kearns, Mair and Moran finished the game with two goals each, but it was Reece Luehman’s work in the ruck that saw him take top honours for his efforts. Scott McCarney, Jess Goldsmid, Bailey Hunt, Guy Donovan and Mair round out the top 6. 

Sitting just inside the top four, the Seniors are well poised for the second half of the season with their six wins, three losses and percentage of 137.44%.

WP 10.14.74 

PH 4.10.34

Women top table toppers once more

The Women have secured another thrilling victory against then ladder-leaders Preston on the weekend, ultimately leaving Bennettswood Reserve 20-point winners after an exquisite second half set up by a grinding first. It was an early first-quarter goal to captain Ebony Ratcliffe from a kick on the 50 line that dribbled in that kickstarted the Animals and was arguably a hint of things to come as their pressure and purposeful ball movement limited their opposition scoring-wise. Using the wind to their advantage for much of the quarter, the Women kept peppering away in the forward half of the ground, before an Ashton Billing mark at the top of the 50 sent the ball back towards the square, where Rhiannon Stute soccered her first goal of the day, mere seconds before the siren. 

Up by 14 points but against it with their opposition kicking in the direction of the wind, the Women knew they were in for a tough second quarter, and tough it was as it felt like they couldn’t get a consistent handle on the conditions. Preston kicked two quick goals to get the margin to just one point going into the main break but the Animals still had plenty left in the tank. 

Once again with the wind advantage, the Women kicked ahead with two goals from Stute and one from Paige Hill, who continues her goal-a-game streak. Both Elli Haylock and Billing were exceptional on the halfback line, limiting the opposition from getting looks inside 50 on the off-chance the ball had gotten by the midfield, which was rarely. At the final break, the Women knew they had twenty minutes left and were more than committed to leave everything they had on the ground. 

With a 20-point buffer, the Animals upped the pressure in the final quarter, making everything a contest, and knowing to spread once they got control of the ball. A goal to Preston saw the margin close just slightly, but the nerves were settled when Hill marked just inside 50 and kicked to a leading Amber Pyne-Jackson, who finally got on the board from her set shot on a slight angle, after missing one in the first term. 

The ability to adapt to conditions and opposition sets the Women in good stead for the rest of the season as they continue to develop as the weeks go on. 

Jas Adern continues her good form in the middle of the ground to be top of the best player’s list, joined by Stute, Tegan Murphy, Haylock, Poppy O’Shea and Lilli Fogarty.  

As the season continues, the Women are edging closer and closer to a top-four spot, but currently sit fifth with four wins, five losses and a percentage of 73.87%. 

WP 6.3.39

PRE 3.1.19

Animals look to have a ball at Bennettswood, Thirds venture to Elgar

VAFA footy finally returns this weekend after a break for the King’s Birthday bye, with three Wattle Park teams hoping to continue their winning form and one hoping to get back on the winner’s list. Round 8 was a triumph for the Women, who took down then-ladder-leaders Elsternwick, and the Reserves and Seniors, who rained on Richmond Central’s parades with two hard-fought wins, while the Thirds unfortunately suffered at the hands of Elsternwick. 

With everyone eager to get back into the swing of things, Bennettswood Reserve is again home to another triple-header as the Women welcome current ladder-leaders Preston, and the Reserves and Seniors take on Power House. Elgar Park awaits the Thirds as they face Box Hill North. 

THIRDS:

It’s a fresh look for a fresh opponent as the Thirds call upon some reinforcements this week. 2019 Premiership defender Michael Mazzeo and long-time Animal Louis Fasolino will don the blue and blue this weekend, as well as Mel Dell’Olio making his playing debut for the Animals.

A debuts will also go to Zac Levitt in the backline, where he’s joined by the returning Sam Heydon who missed last time out at Elsternwick a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile Ben Severin plays his second game back for the Animals since returning from Europe, looking to press his claims to join a surging Reserves team and make another charge at a Grand Final.

RESERVES:

The high-flying Reserves side has again made a raft of changes to a squad that appears to have winning running through their veins, and this weekend will be no different. In for their first games in the blue and blue for the year, Dan Hill and Flynn Normand-McMahon return to the side, in the forward line and on the wing respectively. Both club president Cam Gardner, in the back pocket, and Jordy Rodda, starting on the bench, will play their first Reserves games of the year after fantastic form in the Thirds, while Will Mayne’s efforts have been rewarded with his first ever Reserves game. Jacob Hooke, for his first game as an Animal, is named on the bench. 

WOMEN:

A building Women’s side is looking to be boosted by the return of three players for their game on Saturday. Elli Haylock returns to her half-back flank role after missing round 8, while Bronwyn Slater comes back into the side with a different role in the forward line. Rhiannon Stute returns also, from the bench, and will no doubt inject some more fierceness to an already-tough Animals side. 

SENIORS: 

Minimal changes have been made to the Seniors team after their win in round 8, but a few notable players all over the ground return. Tom Wales comes back into the side after spending some time both in the Reserves and on the sidelines through injury, named as the back rotation. The forward line is also boosted with Jonathan Greensides named in the pocket, while Jess Goldsmid returns to the wing to hopefully provide some more speed through the middle of the ground. 

Double delight at Bennettswood, Thirds stand strong

THIRDS:

The Thirds were unable to complete the club’s quadruple triumph over Elsternwick in the last two weeks, going down by 46 points at Holmes/Todd Oval on the weekend. It was a valiant effort from the Animals who kept peppering away at the scoreboard, despite the 20-point deficit they took into both quarter time and the main break. 

One goal in the second half arguably isn’t an accurate representation of the effort put in by the boys in the blue and blue, but leaves the squad with the ability to bounce back healthily after the King’s Birthday bye. 

Club president Cam Gardner continues his impressive form to take best-on-ground honours, joined by Jordy Rodda, Lachlan Killeen, captain Joe Caldow, Dylan Jacob, and multiple-goalscorer Darby Allen. Brendan Ellwood and Sam Cordy both managed to get on the scoreboard with one major each. 

At this stage of the season, the Thirds’ three wins and five losses have them sitting just outside the top 4, with a percentage of 79.28%. 

It must also be mentioned that, fortunately, Thirds player Alex Young is doing well after the events of the day. 

WP 4.8.32

ELS 12.6.78

RESERVES:

A Sam Barrah goal in the dying seconds of the Reserves’ clash against fellow cream-of-the-crop Richmond Central has seen Wattle Park take the chocolates by just three points at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday. Down at every break, the Animals had an answer to every question posed by their opposition, and then some, despite the away side launching out of the blocks with eight scoring shots to three in the first term to be up by ten points going into the second. 

Arguably unchallenged since their round one loss, the Reserves struggled against Richmond Central as they were kept at arm’s length for much of the game. Two goals to both teams in the second quarter, and then the third, meant they were getting closer but not close enough, until a rousing three-quarter time huddle kicked the Animals into the next gear. 

With the scoreline seesawing in the last few minutes of the fourth term, the Animals put together one of their finest bits of play to show their final hand, a chain of possessions from halfback gifting the ball to James Nelson, who marked right at the edge of the centre square. Aware that time was ticking, he immediately turned and handballed into the path of Barrah, who then collected the ball, sidestepped a diving opponent, and kicked for goal. Those on the pavilion waited with bated breath as the ball seemingly bounced for an eternity as another diving Richmond Central player tried his luck on the goal line. But the footy gods had it scripted already, and players and supporters alike erupted in celebration as the goal umpire finally signalled.

Three-goal hauls to forward-extraordinaires Jonathan Greensides and Anthony Smith in the absence of key player Matthew Price were huge for the Animals, while Dan Quattro’s two and Nic Glanville’s sneaky one round out the goalkickers. While his match-winning goal surely contributed, it was Barrah’s work all over the ground that gets him a mention in the top 6 best, joined by the usual suspect Ray Kuhnell, backman Tom Elliott and the rather unfamiliar Reserves players of Jem Sibley and Matt Humphrey, and club secretary Joe Anker.  

After the 1 v 2 battle, the Reserves sit safely one game clear on top the ladder with their seven wins and 1 loss, their percentage a hefty 202.70%.

WP 10.10.70 

RC 10.7.67

SENIORS: 

Third quarter dominance has allowed the Seniors to get over the top of a competitive Richmond Central side by 17 points on the weekend. Following the adrenaline rush of the Reserves win minutes before, the Animals came out firing, eight scoring shots to just four to be ahead at the first break. But lapses in focus in the second term and no goals allowed the away side to slightly get ahead.

Whatever was in the half-time cordial worked for Wattle Park, who came out of the main break an entirely different beast. A quality third quarter saw the Animals move the ball impressively well, and six goals from 11 scoring shots obliterated the slight buffer Richmond Central had, with the 35-point turnaround sky-rocketing the home side ahead on the scoreboard. Not even a late rally from the opposition, who looked solid in the final term after a couple of early goals, could stop Wattle Park from running away winners. 

Three goals from Kieren Jenkins has strengthened his spot in the Seniors squad, while two each to Zac Kearns, Nathan Bird and Tom Hernan has shared the goalkicking load around nicely. But it was Bailey Hunt’s performance, including a goal, that has seen him take top honours as best-on-ground, rounded out by Joden Crothers, Guy Donovan, Kieran Mair, Hernan and Matt Hill. 

Going into the King’s Birthday bye, the Seniors sit just inside the top 4 with their five wins, three losses and a percentage of 132.70%

WP 12.15.87

RC 10.10.70