Women near full strength for first final, Men return for turn home

Wattle Park had another successful weekend in round 16, with the history-making Women leading from the front with a 23-point win against Preston to solidify fourth spot on the ladder to make their first-ever finals appearance. The Reserves and the Seniors both made light work of La Trobe University squads unable to get a look in, winning by 136 points and 67 points respectively. Finishing the season off admirably was the Thirds, who took it to Mazenod but ultimately couldn’t get the win. 

This Saturday, the home and away season continues for the Reserves and Seniors, who make the trek to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to face Richmond Central, with the Reserves eager to split the difference with the Snakes, who share the same amount of points and thus the top of ladder with the Animals, while the Seniors will want to continue their momentum heading into the finals.

But it’s the Women who have most of the attention this weekend given they’ve made their first ever finals series in the squad’s history. They return to W. R. Ruthven Reserve for the second weekend in a row, facing Preston at 9:20am in an elimination final, with the knowledge they have won both of their battles this year, namely last weekend, and are in a good run of form, having won their last three games of the home and away season. 

RESERVES:

With top spot on the line, the Reserves are welcoming some strong players back in the side. After spending some time in the ones, Lawrence Virgo returns to the squad, his magnet on the back flank to no doubt use his strength and speed to get the ball forward. On the bench, there’s a Sam-wich, as both Barrah and Davis come back into the side after some time away. 

WOMEN:

Three additions have been made to the squad who took to the field last Saturday, including Emma Johnson returning to the side, straight into centre half-back. Fresh from travelling, Alayna MacKirdy is thrown right back into the midfield, while Maddy Mazar comes back in, her magnet at centre half-forward. WIth a full bench in Sheridan Harris, Shannon Harris, Blaire Preddey and Chloe Hulme, the side is backed by Chanelle Delarue and Gideon Sands as emergencies. 

SENIORS:

Very few changes have been made to the Seniors squad as Kieran Mair returns as the backline rotation after some time overseas, boosting an already-strong defence. Henry Tickner also comes back into the side and will start in the midfield. In a positional change, Bailey Hunt will start the game on the wing.

Double delight in Bundoora cement finals

THIRDS: 

A valiant effort to close out their season has seen the Thirds fall short in their quest for a last-round win against Mazenod, beaten by 57 points at Central Reserve despite appearances from a few stalwart Animals. 

Two goals in the first quarter for Wattle Park set the scene early, with a deficit of just eight points going into quarter-time. But the second term is where Mazenod started to show their class as the Animals kicked what would be their final two goals of the game, and the away side started to edge away, scoring four of their own majors to be ahead by 22 points at the main break. 

The Thirds were left without answers for the second half as Mazenod piled on five goals in the third term, before finishing the game with two, to Wattle Park’s four behinds.  

Once again in the goals was Brendan Ellwood, who finished the game with two, while Max Pringle and club legend Paul Baranello were the other two players to get on the board. Best-on-ground honours go to vice-captain George Burgess, who has been strong for the Thirds all season, Baranello and Zack Flaherty. 

The Thirds finish their season in seventh, with five wins, ten losses and a percentage of 56.60%. 

WP 4.5.29

MAZ 13.8.86

RESERVES:

An eight-goal first quarter for the Reserves has set up an eventual 136-point smashing of a goalless La Trobe University at TS Sheehan Oval, officially solidifying their top-2 spot on the ladder and giving them the double chance going into finals. 

Under the Melbourne sun, the Animals burst out of the gate, with the home side never given the chance to find their footing. 13 scoring shots to zero in the first 25 minutes of the game gave Wattle Park an arguably already insurmountable lead of 53 points going into quarter-time, before a two-goal settler in the second term allowed them to reset for the second half. 

Despite the 68-point lead, the Reserves came out after the main break with a renewed sense of purpose, getting six goals on the board, before four in the final term to finish their most comprehensive win for the year. A strong showing leading into finals while fine-tuning their loose, free-flowing style of play boosts the momentum of the Animals squad. 

With nine goalkickers sharing 20-goal load, the elder Anthony Smith managed four to take best-on-ground honours, while Connor Xipolitos, James Nelson and Isaac Waite all kicked three each. Matt Humphrey and resident bagman Matthew Price contributed two. The executive committee had a good showing on the best players list, with club president Cam Gardner and vice-president Greg Rollo-Walker making an appearance, with Harrison Jones, Ray Kuhnell and Mitch Lamb rounding it out.

Heading into the final two games of the home and away season, the Reserve sit second on the ladder, with thirteen wins, three losses and a percentage of 188.73%. 

WP 20.17.137

LTU 0.1.1 

SENIORS:

Nine individual goalkickers have helped the Seniors secure their finals spot, as they beat both La Trobe University and a typical four-seasons-in-one-day Melbourne downpour at TS Sheehan Oval to take the win by 67 points. 

Four goals in the first term set the Animals up well as the rain started, with the home side only able to get one of their own on the board. With a 19-point buffer at the start of the second quarter, slick ball movement through the middle despite the conditions continued to give the Wattle Park forwards supply inside 50. But the weather was also wreaking havoc, with much of the play between the arcs resulting in a lot of back and forth, it was just the Animals who were able to capitalise on their opportunities. 

With the game all but sewn up by half-time, the Seniors stuck to their set structures in the third term, using the wide span of the oval to switch the play and angle their kicks through the corridor to keep giving their forwards first look. Five goals from ten scoring shots to just three behinds continue Wattle Park’s ascendency, before they slightly eased their foot off the accelerator in the final quarter. Missed opportunities in front of goal, as seems to be a slight theme for the season, meant the scoreboard didn’t accurately reflect the dominance Wattle Park had for a majority of the game. Ultimately, their five-goal final term outscored La Trobe’s entire game score and provides some extra momentum going into the last two games. 

Matt Hill finished the game with three goals, while Zac Kearns, Reece Luehman and Dan Hill all managed two each after strong leading inside the forward 50. In his return game, captain Harry Davis kicked a major, while Jonathan Greensides, Tom Hernan, James Moran and Hugh Schaeche round out the goalkickers list. 

Tom Wales takes best-on-ground honours for his work off half-back and is joined on the best players list by fellow backmen Tom Clarke and Baxter Newbegin, as Bailey Hunt, Hill and Schaeche take the final three spots. 

With two games left of the home and away season, finals are locked in as the Seniors sit fourth with ten wins, six losses and a percentage of 148.80%.

WP 14.13.97 

LTU 4.6.30

Women seal history with dominant final day

A history-making finals debut awaits the Wattle Park Women after an inspired performance in glorious Melbourne sun against Preston saw them leave W.R. Ruthven Reserve 23-point winners, giving them their eighth win of the season and locking up fourth position on the ladder. 

With a new pre-game warm up continuing to work wonders and support from some of the men’s squad, the Women started the game out of their skin. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for Paige Hill to do what she does best, getting the Animals on the board in the first couple of minutes of the first quarter with a quick snap after some forward pressure kept the ball inside 50. 

Apparently inspired by the soccer world cup and perhaps taking a leaf out of the Matildas’ book, for much of the game Preston kept a player planted inside the goalsquare, but it couldn’t stop Wattle Park from peppering the goals any chance they got. Late in the first term, a Blaire Preddey quick kick from a contest was blasted over the stationary defender’s head to give the Animals a 15-point lead going into quarter-time. 

For much of the second quarter, a lull blanketed the game, with the home side scoring just one behind for the 20 minutes of play as both teams upped the ante in terms of pressure around the ball. 

Missed opportunities in front of goal could have been costly for Wattle Park in the third term as they added three behinds to their score, but a strong defence including the likes of Lilly Hutchison, Shannon Harris, Ash Curtis and Elli Haylock, whose united front has been the literal backbone of the side all year, prevented any opposition score. Through more continued forward press, Hill snagged another goal to get the Animals in front by 23 at the final change, with hopes and dreams of a first finals berth for the squad edging ever closer.

With the game still arguably on the line at the beginning of the last term of the home and away season, a ruck tap followed by an expert second effort from Ashton Billing saw the ball launched inside the Animals’ forward 50. It was then brought to ground for Hill to swoop on before she turned through two players to straighten and kick what would eventually be Wattle Park’s final goal of the game, sealing their final aspirations in the process. 

A junk time goal to Preston soured none of the jubilant celebrations that erupted when the final siren sounded to signify the Animals as finals bound. 

Five years of blood, sweat and tears have gone into building the Women’s side into something worthy of the Animals name and this season has been nothing short of monumental, no matter how far into finals they get.

The best players list is full of the year’s usual suspects, with Billing, Tegan Murphy, Clover Hart, Hill, Jas Ardern and Olivia Walker doing their part. 

At the end of the home and away season, the Women sit fourth on the ladder, having evened up their season to eight wins and eight losses, and a percentage of 88.50%.

WP 4.7.31

PRE 1.2.8

History awaits as trio of captains return

Another history-making weekend for Wattle Park was round 15 as they followed up their first ever quadruple win with their second in a row. The Women kicked off proceedings at Bennettswood Reserve, gallantly wiping their hands of De La Salle, while the Reserves made sure the power was well and truly off with a win over Power House. At the same time, the Thirds were winning a low-scoring contest at Canterbury Sportsground, before the Seniors finished the day as winners in their own battle with Power House. 

An action-packed round 16 awaits as the Thirds hope to finish off their season with a bang against Mazenod at Central Reserve at 9:20am, while the Women hold their destiny in their hands as they aim to solidify their first ever top-4 finish with a win when they travel to W. R. Ruthven Reserve to face Preston at 11:40am. 

For the Reserves and Seniors, and with finals on the cards for both teams, two strong wins against La Trobe University will go a long way to finishing the last few home and away games at the peak of their powers. 

THIRDS:

The Thirds are bolstering the stocks in their last game of the year, with club legends Jonathan O’Connor, Paul Baranello and Nathan Baranello donning the blue and blue to close out the season. O’Connor will ply his trade in the ruck as tradition, while centre half-forward has former club treasurer Baranello’s name all over it, though he will undoubtedly find himself all over the ground like no time has passed, and former club president Baranello starts on the bench but will be thrown into the action as soon as possible. Captain Joe Caldow returns to the forward line and Jordy Rodda rejoins the backline for the final time in 2023.

RESERVES:

A similar-looking Reserves side will take the field on the weekend, with only a small number of changes made to a squad who disposed of their opponents by 80 points. The backline sees both Tom Elliott and Harrison Jones return to the pocket and flank respectively after missing the last few games, while Cooper Walter makes his return from concussion and starts on the bench. A notable positional change has club president Cam Gardner’s magnet on the wing. 

WOMEN:

For the final time in the home and away season, the Women will run out onto the ground, and with minimal changes from previous weeks, but majorly important inclusions. Sam Hogarth returns from her European getaway just in time, starting in the back pocket to provide some extra cover down there with the loss of Emma Johnson, who misses this week. Both captain and vice-captain also return for the vital clash, with Ebony Ratcliffe moving to full-forward in a new role, and Lilli Fogarty back at her second home, also known as the wing.

SENIORS: 

A well-settled Seniors squad sees only two changes for their match-up this weekend as captain Harry Davis returns after extended time on the sideline due to injury and is straight into the midfield. Great form in the Reserves has been rewarded with Jem Sibley coming back into the side, and will start as the midfield rotation, which moves James Moran to the forward rotation.

Triple treat for Men home and away

THIRDS:

A low-scoring affair at Canterbury Sportsground has seen the Thirds get their fifth win of the season, after a 50m penalty paid in the dying seconds gave the Animals a set shot right in front of goal. 

With twelve goals total kicked across the game, it was no surprise the game came down to the wire, despite just one major from both teams in the first quarter. The Animals were ahead at each break, their misfiring in front of the big sticks the only thing keeping them there as they kept their buffer to less than a goal. With just seconds on the clock in the final term, the game was decided by a set shot and the Animals closed their penultimate chapter of the 2023 season to join the second week in a row of Wattle Park quadruple wins.

Continuing his good form, Padric Leevers was the Thirds best-on, with George Burgess, Lachlan Killeen, Fletcher Cooper, Nick Rodway, and the returning Alex Young joining him on the best players list. 

With one game left of the season, the Thirds sit sixth on the ladder with five wins and nine losses, and a percentage of 58.69%. 

WP 6.6.42

CAN 6.3.39

RESERVES:

A seven-goal final term has all but sealed the Reserves’ top-2 position on the ladder, as they demolished Power House by 80 points at Bennettswood Reserve. 

The first quarter was very much an arm-wrestle as both sides struggled to get ascendancy on the scoreboard through missed opportunities, but it was the Animals with their noses just in front going into the first break. 

Seven scoring shots to zero in the second term saw the Reserves power ahead, leaving Power House without answers and down by 35 points at half-time. With their foot slightly off the gas in the third, the Animals only managed to pile on three goals, priming themselves for an insane last-quarter effort. 

After finally deciding it was time to get serious, the Reserves limited their opponents to just a singular goal and one behind, while managing thirteen scoring shots of their own, seven of which being majors. It was the perfect finish after a rather lacklustre initial start as the Reserves joined another weekend of four Animals wins.

Matthew Price returned to his best once again to take best-on-ground honours in a 7-goal performance, while Isaac Waite and James Nelson kicked two majors each. Rounding out the best players list was Liam Elso, Greg Rollo-Walker, Waite, Connor Xipolitos and Ben Severin.

With twelve wins, three losses and a percentage of 171%, the Reserves currently sit second on the ladder with three games of the season left. 

WP 17.15.117

PH 5.7.37

SENIORS: 

The Seniors have sealed another four-wins-from-four-games weekend for Wattle Park with a 25-point win over Power House at Bennettswood Reserve. Nine goalkickers overall for the Animals got started in the first term with three, but the home side was still down by four points going into the first break. 

The second term began and slowly the Seniors managed to get results on the scoreboard, despite some of the traditional misfiring we’ve come to know and love from the boys in the blue and blue. With a 5-point buffer to start the second half, the Animals kept up their inside 50s to score three majors in the third term, before doing the same in the fourth to seal their top-4 aspirations. 

Both Zac Kearns and Jonathan Greensides managed two goals each as the only multiple-goalscorers, while backman Joden Crothers got on the board with another shot on goal from outside 50. 

Back to his usual best, Hugh Schaeche took top honours, with Nathan Bird, Matt Hill, Baxter Newbegin, Greensides and Guy Donovan rounding out the best players list. 

The Seniors currently sit fourth on the ladder with nine wins, six losses and a percentage of 117.93%. 

WP 11.14.80

PH 8.7.55

Comeback win has Women on precipice

The Women have once again continued to put themselves on the Division 4 radar with a rallying win against De La Salle, leaving the field 8-point winners after a hard-fought contest. 

De La Salle were out of the blocks quickly, getting two goals on the board and taking every advantage they could against a slow-starting Animals squad to be up by 13 points at the first break. 

The rest of the game would continue to be a battle, as De La Salle kept their noses in front going into half-time, before a goal each and some missed opportunities from the Animals saw them take a slim 2-point lead for the final quarter.

Still with enough left in the tank to finish the game strongly, the Women increased their pressure around the ball, with one errant inside 50 the opposition’s only real chance for the final 20 minutes. It was all the Animals though as they kicked two straight goals kicking home to get their seventh win of the season and kickstart Wattle Park’s second weekend in a row of four wins from four games. 

Stalwart backman Lilly Hutchison took best-on-ground honours for her defensive work, with Ashton Billing, Clover Hart, Alayna MacKirdy, Tegan Murphy and Ash Curtis rounding out the best players list. Continuing her form in front of the big sticks, Paige Hill finished the game with two majors, while Hart, Maddy Mazar, Poppy O’Shea and Billing all joined the goalkicking party.

The Women currently sit fourth on the ladder, which is the highest the squad has ever sat in their storied existence, with seven wins, eight losses and a percentage of 83.22%.

WP 6.5.41

DLS 5.3.33

Final triple header holds key to finals push

An historic round 14 for Wattle Park has seen the club’s first quadruple win, with all four teams getting the W on Saturday. The Thirds kick-started the day with a close contest against Box Hill North, before Swinburne University suffered terribly at the hands of quality Reserves and Seniors squads. To finish the day off strongly, the Women battled hard against an Elsternwick side under lights to continue their good form.

With round 15 upon us, it’s the last triple header of the year as the Women, Reserves and Seniors take to Bennettswood Reserve against De La Salle and Power House at their usual times, and the Thirds head down the road to Canterbury Sportsground to face Canterbury for an 11:40am start.

THIRDS:

Another full Thirds side has been named for the weekend, and will be boosted by the return of a few players, including two 2019 Reserve premiership heroes who will don the blue and blue for the first time in quite awhile. Adam Athorne will start on the back flank to provide some run off half-back, while Steve Jones injects some strength inside 50, his magnet at centre half-forward. Admirably, Alex Young comes back in and will man the wing after missing since round 8 due to injury and the midfield is to be boosted with the return of Paddy Leevers. 

Vice-captain George Burgess will also take the field as captain for the first time this year. 

RESERVES:

A raft of returns to the club has seen a few names make their way to the twos after appearances for the Seniors, with the backline boosted by both Mitch Lamb and Zac Durrant to the pocket and flank respectively, and Isaac Waite at half-forward. Flynn Normand takes control of the wing in his return game, while Matt Humphrey joins an already-strong forward line and Cam Price starts on the bench. 

WOMEN:

A nearly-unchanged side will take the field for the Women this weekend, with vice-captain Lilli Fogarty the only difference from the round 14 team. The stability of the squad will no doubt boost the Women going into their second last game of the home and away season. 

As both captain Ebony Ratcliffe and Fogarty are out of the team due to injury, first-year young gun Ashton Billing will take the field as stand-in captain. 

SENIORS: 

Some familiar faces come back for the Seniors this week, including the team’s utility in Bailey Hunt, who will start at centre half-forward after missing round 13 due to injury. The forward line is also looking slightly different with the return of Tom Hernan and Reece Luehman to the pockets. Animals stalwart Sean Drummond will start in the back pocket in his return game.

Trio of wins break losing streaks for Seniors and Thirds

It was a triple treat for the Animals Men on Saturday, with the Thirds relying on some legends of the past to secure their first win since Round 5, and begin a day of winning for the club.

Led by the most recent of the group to scale back their playing time in Michael Davis, including the likes of former stalwarts Anthony Muling, Max Pringle and William Carpenter, it would be a slow and steady start in the early timeslot at Bennettswood.

Kicking with a stiff breeze in the first, the Animals would eventually make good on a number of chances, and manage to keep the Demons from down the road scoreless in the first.

However Box Hill North would utilise their time with the breeze in the second, and make the Animals pay for repeated inaccuracies in front of goal to drag the margin within a solitary point at the main break.

Up stepped Michael Davis. The older of the three playing Davis’ after a raft of sighters beforehand found his radar to kickstart the Animals in the third, which would result in a three goal to one third term.

High flying ruckman Fletcher Cooper and key forward Brendan Ellwood would join in on the goalkicking fun, and gift the Animals a handy 15 point lead as both sides turned for home.

Sam Cordy added another midway through the final term to all but seal away the result, and despite a late goal from BHN and some last ditch attempts to drag the margin back even further, the Thirds would ground out a well-earned 16 point win.

WP 5.9.39
BHN 3.5.23

G: B.Ellwood 2, F.Cooper, S.Cordy, M.Davis
B: F. Cooper, J. Rodda, M. Davis, G. Burgess, N. Rodway, B. Ellwood

The Reserves then set about shoring up their top 4 credentials after a thumping victory the week before.

However a slow start at a blustery St James Park followed with only four goals kicked with the aid of the breeze toward Burwood Rd.

Despite being shaken by the slight name change of road, the second saw an improved performance with leading goalkicker Matt Price beginning to find his form from earlier in the season as the Animals doubled their lead in to the main break, helped by another strong defensive peformance holding the Pigs to only 2 points kicking with the wind.

A half time reset was the tonic needed to kick away for the twos, as they went from doubling their lead to doubling their score in a dominant display of ball movement and execution despite a shrinking bench, with Cooper Walter and Jack Hernan coming together in a case of friendly fire. Both men thankfully appear to have escaped more than cosmetic injury.

A 5 goal to 4 final quarter may not have been the completed picture coach Josh Webb may have been after, but a return of 7 goals from Matt Price and four from the older Anthony Smith will certainly help ease the worries ahead of a tricky run home to the finals.

SWI 7.7.49
WP 17.10.112

G: M. Price 7, A. Smith 4, J. Nelson 2, J. Anker 2, A. Smith 2
B: M. Price, J. Hernan, R. Kuhnell, J. Anker, G. Rollo-Walker, J. Sibley

A return to winning ways was necessary for the Animals seniors to continue the push for the final spot in the top 4 of Division 3, with the promise of Euroforcements arriving soon.

A one-win Swinburne Uni senior side was the first domino in a three game make-or-break stretch for the finals push, and would be a harder prospect than some initially gave credit for.

Therefore a 9 goal to 1 opening term was crucial in breaking the Pigs spirit at home and creating the buffer that would seperate the two sides all day.

The opening quarter blitz, whilst ultimately proving too large a hill for Swinburne to climb, did not deter the Razorbacks from kicking 5 themselves in the second term to pull the lead back to within 6 kicks at the main break.

That would be as close as the home side would get, as a clinical third term, featuring a dominant display from returning ruckman Sean “Spider” Bourke in game 49, would push the lead back out past 10 goals.

Third gamer Tom Elliot would cap his July of Senior football with his first goal as he continued to impress at the highest grade.

Midfield workhorse Jacob Glare was pleased with the sides ability to put last round’s loss behind them.

“We got back to our style of footy a bit more this week, everyone played well and the ball usage was pretty good.“

Swinburne would launch one final counter in the final term to put a respectable score on the board, but it was never enough to challenge the Animals.

“We had to grind the game out Swinburne tried to stick around as long as they could with us but couldn’t” said Glare.

A return to goalkicking form for Matt Hill and Nathan Bird saw them both kick four majors along with star halfback Baxter Newbegin.

The win means that Saturday’s final clash with Power House AFC for the season could ultimately decide the fate for both teams this year, and end the Albert Park club’s push for finals.

SWI 14.6.90
WP 22.14.146

G: M. Hill 4, N. Baxter 4, N. Bird 4, D. Hill 3, J. Greensides 2, Z. Kearns, J. Moran, H. Schaeche, T. Elliott, M. Lamb
B: N. Bird, J. Glare, M. Hill, S. Bourke, N. Baxter, S. Argus

'Wicks wilt under Animals pressure

In a performance that had everything but accuracy in front of goal, the Animals Women kept their finals hopes alive with a 26 point thumping of Elsternwick.

A collection of superb individual performances, that was matched by a collective pressure game from the entire side caused a slew of both individual and team errors from an Elsternwick side looking to secure their top 4 spot.

A fast start saw gun small forward Paige Hill kick her 15th goal of the season after managing to turn her opponent and run into an open goal. However Hill was unable to convert again for the quarter, and after an extended period of time in their forward 50, Elsternwick managed to find an open shot to grab their opening goal of the game.

It would be their last score.

The 2023 backline for the Animals Women has turned in some courageous performances to turn away opponents repeatedly and with great affect, but this was a different story.

Instead it was the midfield continually turning Elsternwick’s advances around before it would reach the backline which kept the home side frustrated as the game went on.

When the ball did manage to enter the back 50, it would be sent right back out. Elli Haylock, Ash Curtis, and Lilly Hutchinson all managed to accumulate multiple rebound 50 exits, and start many Animal scoring opportunities.

The defensive pressure was contagious, and when the forward 50 pressure became unbearable for Elsternwick, turnover and individual mistakes followed, with even a kick in being smothered by Blaire Preddey, leading to one of the five behinds scored for the quarter.

The goal however did eventuate, with Ashton Billing finding her range from distance to put the Animals well in control at the main break.

Replicating first half dominance has proven to be a challenge in 2023 for the Women of Wattle Park, however by the bay on a Saturday night, they found a way to improve.

If one had access to the Fox Footy pressure gauge and had done the necessary university doctorate to understand how the rating is calculated, it would have still not been enough to measure the relentless and suffocating intensity shown whenever a black jersey even thought of going near the ball.

The only problem was a lack conversion from turnover to scoring in the Third, with Olivia Walker hitting the post from a set shot only 15m to record the only point of the entire quarter.

With one final impassioned plea from coach Mel Dell’Olio at the last change, and a growing contingent of support for the team in blue, an extra gear was found.

Repeated forward 50 entries were the name of the game, and the supply was never short.

When Elsternwick managed to escape the throws of the Animals forward line, they encountered a brick wall in midfield that refused to allow passage past.

Eventually, after missing several earlier (and easier) chances, Paige Hill bobbed up in the right forward pocket to kick one of the goals of the year on a near impossible angle to salt away the game and secure an historic fourth win of the day for the club in front of a raucous and rowdy Animals Hill.

The result keeps the Animals finals hopes well and truly alive with two rounds remaining, ahead of a match up with De La Salle on the final triple header day of 2023.

Senior debuts and forward line moves set up Round 14

The Animals will fill all four of the VAFA’s Saturday timeslots in Round 14 as the run to finals continues.

The promise of quality late July winter weather sees the forecast also call for attacking football and one of the best opportunities the club will have to record four wins from four across a round.

THIRDS

A raft of club legends have answered the call to help the Thirds avenge a two goal loss from earlier in the season to the Demons.

Max Pringle, Josh Nyhof, Will Maloney, and Anthony Muling join old teammate Michael Davis in headlining a stacked Thirds side which also welcomes back classy winger Jeff Riordan, swingman Nick Rodway, and star midfielder Jordy Rodda.

RESERVES

A surprise move after last weeks dismantling of Elsternwick sees classy backman Nic Glanville move forward to continue his goal kicking form. Glanville has goaled in his last three games for the Animals and will be looking to double his tally at St James Park.

His move forward allows James Rippon and Greg Rollo-Walker to come into a settled backline which only conceded one solitary point after half time last week.

Cooper Walter and Jem Sibley are the new wing combo for this week, with 2022 Grand Finalist Ben Severin getting the call up to the side as well to ruck.

SENIORS

A well-earned Senior debut has been handed to midfielder Henry Tickner. The man affectionately known as “Horse” at Bennettswood has yet to reach the 30 game mark, but has worked hard initially with the Thirds, and more recently as a staple two’s midfielder, and will be on to watch at St James Park.

He’ll be receiving hit outs from fellow animal nicknamer Sean “Spider” Bourke who comes in for Reece Luehmann, after a near best on ground performance last week at Elsternwick.

Also earning promotions after last week’s 105 point win are Dan Hill and Zac Durrant, who both also featured in the best 6 from last weekend.

Hill, who kicked 6 on his return to the lineup, plays only his second senior game this year. Meanwhile Durrant returns to help with the Animals outside run on the uniquely shaped confines of Swinburne’s home oval.

The return of four key figures in the Women’s side will be a boost before what looms as a crucial clash for the side at Holmes/Tood Oval.

Chloe Hulme’s return allows a shift for the whole side, which see’s both Clover Hart and Poppy O’Shea move further up the ground.

O’Shea will be joined by Olivia Walker up front, who shifts from her midfield role to allow Clover Hart to fill that gap. Walker will join Sheridan Harris and club leading goalkicker Paige Hill, who kicked two goals the last time these two sides played.

Vice-Captain Lilliana Fogarty also returns this week, and will deputise for injured captain Ebony Ratcliffe for the Women’s side first ever visit to the bayside surrounds of Elsternwick.

Reliable defender Emma Turner, and utility Caity Power will also return for the clash.

A tale of two ton games for Men

A day of opposites down at Elsternwick saw the Reserves surge back in to the top two, but a rejuvenated Elsternwick senior side flipped the script to see the Animals seniors drop a third straight game.

Due to scheduling issues, the Reserves were “relegated” to the large confines of Elsternwick Park next door to Holmes/Todd and immediately began about making use of the space to jump out to a two goal lead at the first change.

The lead would then all but double in to the main break, as the Animals run and carry began to wear down an and dismay the opposition, but none would predict what happened next.

An 80-1 second half, including a scoreless third term for the “hosts” would signal to the remainder of the Division 3 Reserves competition that the favourites were back and ready to make a run for a third straight shot at a flag.

Dan Hill’s first game in a month was a laugher, as the mercurial small forward would kick a bag of 6, defeating Elsternwick on his own. He was ably supported by the rest of the forward line with Jimmy Nelson, Anthony Smith, and Matt Price all kicking two apiece, with the latter still top 3 in the league goalkicking.

A 7-goal final term was capped with returning backman Nic Glanville potting his now-characteristic “party time” goal with 30 seconds remaining to bring up the triple figure margin, and secure a near 14% jump in percentage, ahead of a trip to winless Swinburne Uni this weekend.

ELS 4.5.29
WP 20.14.134

G: D.Hill 6. H.Jones, J.Nelson, M.Price, A.Smith 2, S.Davis, Z.Durrant, N.Glanville, W.Mayne, A.Smith, C.Walter
B: H.Jones, S.Bourke, L.Hicks, D.Hill, Z.Durrant, J.Nelson

However, back on Holmes/Todd Oval, a new-look Elsternwick Senior side would flip the script, and dole out their own triple digit demolition.

Spencer Hankin still leads Caulfield Grammarians in their reserves with nine goals kicked in Premier A Reserves, and showed his class with 8 majors in the clash, proving a matchup too difficult to neutralise for the Animals backline.

Forwards Zac Kearns and Nathan Bird would bag two goals apiece, whilst tall forward Jono Greensides would also kick a major in a best-on performance by the Englishman, seeing his streak of kicking a goal in every game bar one this season continue.

Speedy utility Bailey Hunt would be forced from the game with a headknock, but was cleared of any serious injury later that night and will be free to re-join the side after his mandatory stand down period.

Speaking after the game, returning Vice-Captain Hugh Schaeche was less than impressed with how the side had performed.

“We weren’t able to execute our game style from the start of the match.” said Schaeche.

”Elsternwick were able to effectively shut down our ball movement from the back half of the ground, leading to many turnover opportunities for them to score.”

ELS 26.20.176
WP 7.9.51

G: N.Bird, Z.Kearns 2, J.Greensides, T.Hernan, E.Phillips
B: J.Greensides, J.Glare, N.Bird, G.Donovan, T.Wales, H.Schaeche

Close run contest falls Carey's way

An inspired physical effort by an undermanned Women’s side has seen a spectacular late comeback surge fall agonisingly short, increasing the importance of the final three matches.

Carey would get the fast start with two quick goals before the game had settled on the cosy confines of the the secondary back oval of the Carey Sports Complex, with the adjoining game’s siren and whistles causing multiple stoppages throughout.

However as the first began to amble towards the break, an Animals quick break would see Paige Hill sneak out the back of her opponent, and after having her nine game goal streak broken before the rep bye, Hill would create the start of a new one, soccering one from 20 out to give the Animals their first.

That would spark a second quarter for the ages, as the Animals put on the after-burners and we’re barely touched. Ashton Billing once again dominated in the ruck, but she was out-done by an impressive all-around effort by Maddy Mazar. Mazar’s second quarter lift created the drive the Animals needed.

Paige Hill would bag her second of the game with a close range effort, taking her season tally to 14. To put that in to context, the last 3 seasons have seen the leading goalkicker for the side kick 4 for the season.

The Animals would then take the lead through target tall Blaire Preddey after she was impeded in a marking contest. Similar to her goal in Round 2 at Power House, the Kiwi, in her first season and only her fourth game back since injury, went back and calmly slotted the set shot.

Mercurial midfield Jas Ardern was then thrown forward, and would use her elite contest skills to shark a marking contest. Ardern would see off her direct opponent and slam home the fourth straight for the side and see the Animals take an 11 point lead in to the main break.

Carey would come out strong from the main break, with both sides electing to stay on the field rather than return to the distant sheds. The Panthers would fight back to take the lead with two quick goals, before Sheridan Harris would goal from 30 out. The sweetly-struck set shot was only her second of the season, and third of her Animals career, one behind twin sister Shannon who has found a new home as a lockdown defender.

Old Carey captain Lisa Walshe, who played the game under an illness cloud, would then pop up with two opportunistic goals in the space of a couple of minutes in the final quarter to swing the game back to Carey’s way, and one final goal would be enough for the Panthers to hold on.

Backline stars Elli Haylock and Lilly Hutchinson were again best on for the Animals, providing necessary rebound 50 push time and time again, whilst Maddy Mazar put in one her best shifts in blue and blue with a dominating forward-ruck performance.

The loss dents, but does not defeat the Animals finals push, with a crucial twilight clash against Elsternwick awaiting this weekend.