First four-ray in to the new season for Animals

After the staggered start to the season last week when the Thirds easily handled Masala Dandenong out east, it’s a return to footy for all as the Senior and Reserve Men and our Women’s team begin their seasons.

The Thirds continue their season hosting fierce rivals Elsternwick at home, in a game which will be livestreamed. At the same time the Women head to East Malvern to take on De La Salle in a replay of the practice game they played last month. Later on, the Reserves and Seniors head to Ringwood to also repeat a practice match fixture when they take on Aquinas.

THIRDS - 9.20am vs elsternwick

A swathe of changes from the side that rolled over Masala Dandenong.

Marmalade duo Checkers and Srey make their debuts for the Animals, with Checkers also taking charge of the side as coach for the first time. Cados, Rodgo, Bailey, and Will Taylor also make their club debuts

The duo of Nic and Nick in Glanville and Rodway continue to hold court down back with the help of Jarra Davis, meanwhile Junior Singh will also be looking to add to his impressive debut last week,

Captain George Burgess goes from the forwards into the midfield this week, with Lachie Killeen moving off the wing to join him in the square, with James Greaves taking his place on the outer flanks of Bennttswood. Daniel Thorson had an impressive start to his Animals career and he stays in the middle despite moving forward early last week.

women - 9.20am vs de la salle

After an enthralling pair of games in 2023, De La Salle are the opponent the women kick their 2024 campaign off against looking to build on last years finals berth.

5 debutants feature for the side, with Maddy Jansz, Chelsea Brown, and Georgie Dillon all starting, the latter two on either wing on what is a characteristically narrow flank at the Dairy Bell. Meanwhile Ingrid Cain and Emily Severin will start from the bench with team stalwart Sheridan Harris.

League B&F winner Ashton Billing will continue to reprise her power role in the ruck, feeding the ball to clearance queen Jas Ardern. The pair joined by captain Ebony Ratcliffe and Olivia Walker.

Down back, a move to the final line of defence for the ever-reliable Emma Johnson as she joins Shannon Harris and the debutant Maddy Jansz. Meanwhile former club B&F Nyari Grzyb makes her return from injury in a new role.

Up front, another promising return from injury sees J thrown forward to provide speed and spark at the feet of new Full Forward Grace Ambrosini. Grace played in the drought-breaking win against Canterbury last year before returning to Canada.

reserves - 11.40am vs aquinas

The preliminary finalists look to make their charge towards a new division’s flag featuring four debutants.

The backline houses two in Sam Hart and Stavros Andronicos, whilst Alex Luttrell starts at half forward and Mason Laursen will impact from the bench.

After an absolute clinic in the Thirds last week, Zac Kearns moves in to the twos midfield to provide some flair around the hard-working Anthony Smith and Lachie Hicks.

Matt Price will look to dominate a new division as the key forward again, with experienced tall Kieran Jenkins making his return after injury cut short his 2023. They have the mercurial Dan Hill to join them off the bench.

The match sees the debut of new coach Gerard Clarke as coach of the Reserves as well.

Seniors - 2pm vs aquinas

A return to Division 2 football for the first time since 2018, with only 9 players in the 22 featuring in the senior side in that year.

Just the two debuts at 2pm with a lot of excitement around the inclusions of Tasmanian James Marshall and the man from the border in Tom Ferguson.

Marshall joins fellow proud Tasmanians Matt Hill and Bailey Hunt across the centre line, as the latter two look to create elite run on the outside.

The last time Baxter Newbegin was in Division 2 he was a ToTY backman, so naturally he will start this season forward to utilise his elite marking ability with fellow talls Jono Greensides and Connor Xipolitos.

Down back, shutdown backman James Rippon will have familiar partnes in Joden Crothers and Kieran Mair, whilst Sam Davis is the sole Davis to start the season off the half back flank.

Thirds open new season in new territory

The quirky start to the 2024 VAFA Season sees the new and revitalised Thirds kick off the Animals year in Dandenong against Masala Dandenong’s second Thirds side.

After the revelation last week the Thirds will spend the year in the South section of Division 4, a host of new sides, like Masala Dandenong, will feature on the Thirds calendar this year.

Acting Thirds Coach, and last year’s Reserves coach, Josh Webb has an extremely strong pool to choose from for the opening week, including a former premiership player for the Animals.

A total of 9 players will make their debuts in blue this weekend, including former club videographer Lachlan Port who lines up at Full Forward.

A star studded midfield features Premiership player Zac Kearns, Best and Fairest winner Jordy Rodda, and club debutants Max Warburton and Daniel Thorson. These four will be crucial in extracting the centre clearance and feeding season Thirds veterans in Joe Caldow and Jeff Riordan up forward.

Across the backline, club stalwart Nic Glanville will lead a skilled half backline, flanked by George Burgess and Jarrah Davis.

Zac will not be the only Kearns on Lois Twohig Reserve either, with brother Ben returning from the UK and joining a strong 6-man bench for the opening clash of the season.

First bounce is at 11am, with the Reserve and Senior Men playing a practice match a mere 10 minutes down the road against Division 3 side St. Johns OC.

CLUB STATEMENT: 2024 Senior and Reserve Men's Division Structure

Wattle Park AFC’s Senior and Reserve Men’s sides will be playing in Division 2 in 2024 after an announcement made by the VAFA this morning.

The club’s executive committee, Men’s coaching staff, and Senior leadership has been in consultation with the VAFA Football Sub-Committee, and after a meeting last Friday, it was decided the Animals would be promoted to Division 2.

President Cameron Gardner is excited about what 2024 holds for the Senior Men.

“It was the preference of both the Coaching Staff, Executive Committee and Key On Field Leaders of the Men’s Side to challenge ourselves and push up the Divisions.”

Both Senior and Reserve sides made the Division 3 finals this season, with the Seniors losing to Canterbury in an Elimination Final, whilst the Reserves lost to Elsternwick in the Preliminary Final.

Despite these results, Gardner is optimistic about the Animals chances in Division 2 in 2024.

“Although the finals results may paint a different picture, our early 2023 season form, (2 wins against Premiers Elsternwick), young and developing list, and promising recruitment, we are going to be competitive within Division 2 and look forward to the standard of footy being played in the competition”

The Animals will be joined by Elsternwick and Hawthorn AFC in being promoted from Division 3, joining Brunswick FC, South Melbourne Districts, Whitefriars, MHSOB, Bulleen-Templestowe, St Marys Salesian, and Aquinas OC.

Whitefriars, Bulleen-Templestowe, and MHSOB are the only three clubs who remain in Division 2 from when the Animals last featured their in 2018, with the latter the scene of one of the most memorable wins in modern history for the Animals with a come from behind win at Woodfull-Miller Oval.

Details of fixtures and dates will be released by the VAFA in due course.

Strong line up named for do or die clash

Only one Animals side is left standing for season 2023, after the Seniors suffered a 79-point elimination final loss at Whitefriars College, against a well-drilled Canterbury side last weekend. Finishing in the top 2 at the pointy end of the year has paid dividends for the Reserves, whose nine-point loss to Richmond Central in Saturday’s qualifying final doesn’t spell the end of the finals campaign just yet. 

On the preliminary final title card for the Animals this Saturday is Elsternwick, as both teams make the trek to Trevor Barker Oval for a 9:20am start. The ledger currently skews in the Reserves’ favour 2-1 after they beat them in rounds 7 and 13 of the home and away season to remedy their only loss against them in round 1.  

Few changes have been made to the side who took to the field last week. James Rippon returns to the backline after spending time with the Seniors and will start at centre half-back, while Zac Durrant comes back in to start on a half-back flank. Rucking after too spending time in the ones is Sean Bourke and Dan Quattro makes his long-awaited return, beginning on the bench but will no doubt be into the action quickly. 

With the possibility of a grand final berth on the cards, get down to Trevor Barker Oval to watch the boys in the blue and blue in action.

Despair at Donvale for Animals

RESERVES:

A goalless first quarter to both teams has ended in a 9-point loss to the Reserves, who went down to Richmond Central in their qualifying final at Whitefriars College on the weekend. 

The Animals started well in the first term despite majors being hard to come by, with more inside 50s and more of the ball spent in their possession, but as has been the Wattle Park way for much of the year, an inability to convert that into goals put them on the back foot early. Two goals from six scoring opportunities in the second term slowly got the Reserves into gear, but they still went into the main break 11 points down. 

Still rather evenly matched, both teams went goal for goal in the third term as the opposition kept the Animals at arm’s length, who were unable to get any ascendency, the 11-point deficit remaining at the final break. With only two goals kicked in the final term, the Reserves pegged the margin back to nine points due to inaccuracy and were unable to get the win. 

Mitch Lamb, Henry Tickner, Isaac Waite, Sam Barrah and Jack Hernan all left nothing out on the park, but it was captain Anthony Smith whose attempt at dragging his side over the line earned him top honours on the best players list. On the goalkickers list was Waite with two, while James Nelson, Jem Sibley, Sam Barrah and the non-captain Anthony Smith got on the board with one each. 

Despite the loss, the Reserves are still in the finals race and will head to Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday to take on Elsternwick in a do-or-die preliminary final. First bounce is at 9:20am so get down early to cheer your favourite Animal on!

WP 6.7.43 

RC 8.4.52

SENIORS: 

The Seniors have suffered an unfortunate end to their 2023 season at the hands of Canterbury, comfortably beaten at Whitefriars College in their elimination final by 79 points. 

The Animals’ goalkicking woes continued as they have all year, kicking just one goal from seven scoring shots in the first quarter off the boot of Zac Kearns early. Missing opportunities in front of goal was not a problem for Canterbury, who took a two-goal lead into quarter-time off the back of four straight. 

It arguably went from bad to worse for the Seniors, who were seemingly unable to keep up with their opposition’s speed through the middle and their ability to score consistently when rebounding from their defensive half. A goal to Matt Hill stemmed the bleeding slightly, but eight to Canterbury, who were taking advantage of every inside 50, left the Animals without answers, down by 57 at the main break. 

A slow third quarter by both teams’ standards saw Tom Hernan kick the only Animals goal as defensively, the Seniors stifled Canterbury to just four scoring opportunities.

Ever the fourth-quarter specialists, the Seniors found another half gear in the final term, with Kearns adding another one to his tally and Ben Collins getting on the board, but were unable to stop the Canterbury freight train as they ran away with it. 

Much like his Reserves counterpart, captain Harry Davis led by example in a best-on-ground performance, with Guy Donovan, Tom Wales, Collins, Jess Goldsmid and Tom Clarke rounding out the best players list. 

WP 5.13.43

CAN 19.8.122

Finals returns for key faces

An unfortunate end to the home and away season for the Reserves and Seniors has seen both sides suffer losses at the hands of Hawthorn, by 12 and 29 points respectively, at Bennettswood Reserve. But with both sides finishing the year in the top 4, that only means one thing. 

Finals are on the cards and they begin this weekend, with both the Reserves and the Seniors in action on Sunday at Whitefriars College. For the Animals family, it’ll be a whole day affair, starting at 9:15am for the Reserves’ qualifying final against Richmond Central, the Seniors following at 11:45am in their elimination final against Canterbury. 

RESERVES

After spending some time in the Seniors squad, Henry Tickner, James Moran and Mitch Lamb all return to the Reserves, boosting them in all areas of the ground. Lamb will provide run in a half-back role, Moran in the forward line and Tickner as ruck rover. Also back in the side for the first time since round 11 is Scott McCarney, who will start the game in a rover role. 

SENIORS

The Seniors’ attack and hunt on the ball will no doubt be helped by the return of both Jacob Glare and Tom Wales, who come back into the side after missing last week. Glare will ply his trade in the midfield, while Wales slots into the back pocket, and with stalwart backman Joden Crothers missing, he’s a welcome return. Ben Collins comes back into the team, starting as the wing rotation, and Reece Luehman will add extra height in the forward line.

Men have double blip ahead of finals

RESERVES

Four goals from a first-year Animal were unable to drag the Reserves over the line against Hawthorn on the weekend, suffering a 12-point loss at Bennettswood Reserve in the final home and away match of the year.

It took eight minutes for the first goal of the game to be scored, when Hawthorn jumped on an off-target switch kick in the Animals’ defensive 50, as both teams’ backlines held up strong for the better part of the first. Transition footy from the Reserves’ back half saw James Nelson on the end of a possession chain, kicking his first, and the team’s first, goal of the day, fourteen minutes into the quarter. Despite an expert centre clearance from Jem Sibley ending up in the hands of Sam Barrah, who delivered truly to Anthony Smith in the forward line for the Animals’ second goal, they still went into quarter-time break nine points down.

A lull in proceedings in the second term saw just one goal scored in 25 minutes, as Matthew Price kicked the quarter’s only major, with 30 seconds left after repeated inside 50s from the Animals. A seven-point deficit at the start of third term saw the arm-wrestle continue well into the second half of the game as both teams tidied up their form in front of goal. 

Wasted opportunities in the fourth quarter were arguably the difference, as the Animals kicked three goals from six scoring shots, while Hawthorn kicked four from the same. Much of the Reserves’ inside 50s began in the backline, with their ability to move the ball quickly between the arcs through spread leaving Hawthorn on the back foot, but a strong backline kept scoring limited. Final majors from Nelson, Smith and Price rewarded the forward press the Animals kept up for much of the game, but ultimately couldn’t get them the win. 

Nelson’s four goals were a best-on-ground performance, with Nic Glanville, Ben Severin, Cam Gardner, Sam Davis and Greg Rollo-Walker rounding out the best players list. 

At the end of the home and away season, the Reserves finish second on the ladder with their thirteen wins and five losses. 

WP 9.8.62

HAW 11.8.74

SENIORS

A high-scoring affair at Bennettswood Reserve has seen the Seniors beaten by a misfiring Hawthorn side on Saturday, as they went down by 29 points in the last home and away game of the season, despite having three players kicking 13 goals between them. 

Nine goals from 18 scoring shots to the opposition, who took a 45-point buffer into the first break, had the Animals contingent in the pavilion concerned, with flashes of brilliance from the returning Nathan Bird inside 50 one of the only real shining lights of the term for the Animals. 

But calm, collected and panic-less words from the coach at quarter time kicked the Seniors into action as they got back to their best in the second term. Uncharacteristically, the Animals were seemingly unable to miss in front of goal as they simultaneously piled on eight majors and clipped Hawthorn’s wings at the same time. Groundball pickups, clean midfield clearances and smothers on the mark all allowed the Seniors to get within ten points at half-time as they used their structures to their advantage, with three goals each from Bird and Matt Hill handy too. 

The footy gods had other plans in the second half though as the away side slipped to a 23-point lead, while the Animals kicked just two goals from seven scoring shots. Traditionally final-quarter specialists, the Seniors found their extra gear, taking advantage of their opportunities at every turn. But Hawthorn ran with them for the last term, and despite kicking 6.2 in the direction of home, the Animals ultimately couldn’t get the win. A checkside goal to Guy Donovan right in front of the Wattle Park crowd and a set shot for Hill after getting rewarded for a rundown tackle were highlights in a quarter that undoubtedly sets them in good form for the coming finals. 

Ruckman Sean Bourke took top honours as best-on-ground, with Jess Goldsmid, captain Harry Davis, Hill, Tom Clarke and Kieran Mair rounding out the list. Nathan Bird finished his return game with five goals, while Baxter Newbegin and Hill both finished with four each. Donovan and Zac Kearns had cameo roles with two each. 

With 14 wins and seven losses, the Seniors finish the 2023 season fourth on the ladder.  

WP 19.8.122

HAW 22.19.151

Finals begin this weekend, with both the Reserves and the Seniors in action on Sunday at Whitefriars College. For the Animals family, it’ll be a whole day affair, starting at 9:15am for the Reserves’ first bounce, the Seniors following at 11:45am.

Big names return ahead of finals tune up

A final round tune up before September against a fellow foe is what the doctor ordered for the Animals as Hawthorn visit Bennettswood Reserve for a second time in 2023.

The Reserves face a near must-win clash, with Hawthorn one game behind Wattle Park in the chase for a double chance.

It’s only fitting that big name returns of Nic Glanville and Riley Thompson at either end of the field feature in the side for the final game of the home and away season.

Both Glanville and Thompson were major factors in the Reserves run to the Grand Final in 2022, and will once again be key in their respective ends.

Jem Sibley returns to the side as well on the wing after a spell in the Senior side for the second time this season, sure to make use of the experience to help the twos in their quest to regain the flag.

Ben Severin is the fourth inclusion in the ruck. ‘Bones’ another cornerstone of last years Grand Final charge, and will look to give a stellar midfield lots of first use footy throughout the day.

For the Seniors, whilst no ladder positions can change this weekend, a win could potentially set up an Elimination Final rematch the following week.

The return of star forward Nathan Bird from a two week break is a welcome addition to the Animals forward line. Bird leads the goalkicking race by five goals over incumbent Matt Hill and will look to keep him from securing a second straight Dave Robin Memorial Trophy.

Kieran Mair’s return to the starting side allows a spot for last year’s Reserves Grand FInal captain Sean Howard to make his return to the bench. Howard’s return is a timely one and adds a different dimension to an already dynamic Animals Senior side.

Mitch Lamb also secures a promotion to the senior side, replacing Jem Sibley.

Reserves slip, Seniors win in a grind

RESERVES:

The battle between one and two on the ladder was everything everyone expected it to be, if but a little low-scoring, as Wattle Park went down by three points at Kevin Bartlett Reserve to a more accurate-in-front-of-goal Richmond Central. The loss all but seals second spot for the Animals, but there is still a chance to finish top depending on next weekend’s results. 

With just two majors kicked between both sides in the first quarter, the Reserves took just a two-point buffer into quarter-time, before the home side laced up their goalkicking boots in the second to kick five straight. An apparent running theme for the season, missed opportunities in front of goal for the Animals kept the deficit to eight points at the main break. 

A fast-flowing second half began as both sides impacted the scoreboard. The Reserves’ run and carry game utilised much of the oval and fed their forwards for much of the third quarter. From seven scoring shots, the Animals kicked three goals but so did the opposition to just keep their noses in front. A goal to five behinds in the last quarter ultimately wasn’t enough to get the Reserves over the line. 

Harrison Jones takes best-on-ground honours, with Lachie Hicks, Isaac Waite, Adam Jopling, Lawrence Virgo and Connor Xipolitos rounding out the best players list. A three-goal haul for Anthony Smith and two majors from Matthew Price were the only two multiple-goalscorers, while James Nelson, Flynn McMahon-Normand and Ray Kuhnell also got on the board. 

With one game left of the home and away season, the Reserves sit second on the ladder with 13 wins, 4 losses and a percentage of 182.00%. 

WP 8.8.56

RIC 9.5.59

SENIORS:

Not even twelve behinds could stop the Seniors from registering their eleventh win of the season, beating Richmond Central by 27 points at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on the weekend. 

Two goals to 50-gamer Zac Kearns in the first quarter kickstarted Wattle Park, who took a two-point buffer into the first quarter. Limited scoring shots to both sides in the second term only extended the gap by an extra point, but a goal from backman Sam Argus ignited the Animals, both on the field and off it. 

A singular major from Reece Luehman was the only one scored for the Seniors in the third quarter as inaccuracy in front of goal continued to keep the home side in it, despite their ascendancy everywhere else on the ground. As has become custom for the Animals, they eventually overran their opposition in the fourth term, limiting them to just one behind to their four goals, two from stalwart backman Baxter Newbegin. Jonathan Greensides got on the end of quick ball movement to sink an impressive goal, right in front of the delighted Animals contingent on the sidelines, while a Matt Hill special saw him get on the scoreboard too. 

A move to the forward line early in the game saw Newbegin top the goalkickers list with three majors in a best-on-ground performance. Captain Harry Davis was back at his best through the middle joined by the ever-consistent Hugh Schaeche, while Tom Hernan, Bailey Hunt and Joden Crothers round out the best players list for playing their roles. 

The Seniors have their hands well and truly on fourth spot on the ladder, with eleven wins, six losses and a percentage of 124.89%, and will finish there at the end of the season. 

WP 9.12.66

RIC 6.3.39

Historic run halted

A record-breaking year for the Women has been anything but soured by a 12-point elimination final loss to Preston on the weekend at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreboard, the Animals still left the field winners and with their heads held high after an incredible season to be proud of. 

With the support of the men’s squad and a whole Animals contingent filled with family, friends and past players, the Women were out of the blocks early. Impressive work was done in the midfield as the forward line saw much of the ball, but they were unable to capitalise, until a textbook Paige Hill play saw her attack the ball at full speed, tap it to advantage before steadying to kick the Animals’ first goal of the game, and just quietly, their first goal ever in a final. The Women’s backline unit held up strong to take a three-point buffer into the first break after limiting Preston to just three behinds.

After such an intense first term, lapses in concentration during the second saw Preston take full advantage, getting two quick goals on the board, with the Animals struggling to match their speed through the middle. With a ten-point difference between the teams, much of the third quarter was spent on the far wing, as throw ins and ball ups signified the amount of pressure both teams were matching on the opposition’s ball carriers, with one behind to the home side the only score. 

Aware that it was potentially the last time they’d take the field for 2023, the Animals dug deep in the last quarter as all 25 players left nothing in the tank. Taking things into her own hands, an Ashton Billing bomb from 40m out bounced in front of Preston’s tactical goalkeeper to trickle in for the Women’s second goal of the game, but ultimately the deficit proved too large after another opposition goal allowed them to keep their noses in front until the final siren. 

Familiar names in Billing, Ash Curtis, Elli Haylock, Sam Hogarth, Tegan Murphy and Clover Hart make up the best players list, all six of them playing their roles to perfection as they have done all season. 

With strong foundations well and truly built in 2023 through connections on and off field, there is no telling where this Wattle Park Women’s side can go next year. 

WP 2.0.12

PRE 3.6.24

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