Rough morning shows Animals true grit

It wasn’t the greatest day for the Emmaus St Leo’s football club on Saturday when two of its three teams went down, but there were great moments everywhere with the men’s reserves team coming back from a deficit to draw their match with Canterbury. But the brightest moment of the day was arguably the fierce determination and spirit shown by the Animalettes who were down players before their match against Oakleigh had even started. Being without a bench against a team who had more than enough rotations meant that Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team had to find that extra gear and did, despite the scoreboard.

It could have been a game to forget for the Animalettes but they did their very best to make sure it wasn’t. The contests were hard all day, and the effort immense with no reward. Jess Dawson played her best game for the year and inadvertently for the club as she moved to full back and showed what she could do down there. Continuing her impressive form was Shellby Lonie whose presence was felt all over the ground. Trainer-turned-player Holly Pointon literally took one for the team, donning the blue and blue and some borrowed boots to boost the Animalettes’ numbers, and getting a few handy touches that no doubt did wonders for her confidence. Unfortunately, second-year player Amy Ronchi headed to the hospital after dislocating her shoulder and will be out for the rest of the season, decreasing the number of available players by one.

Oakleigh finished the game 14.7.91 to Emmaus St Leo’s 0.0.0 after consistently progressing their score over the four quarters. Despite being down by an insurmountable number on the scoreboard, the Animalettes’ ‘never say die’ attitude never died. Their second and third efforts were there until the very last second, and both coaches were incredibly proud, telling their charges as much during the debrief in the rooms after the final siren with Assistant Coach Brendan Ellwood lauding the determination, and frustrated with the fact that his team continues to consistently do what is asked of them with little to no reward.

With only 5 games left, the Animalettes continue to show that they are capable of anything despite their horror run with the scoreboard. Their dedication to each other and to the club is second to none. This week, they face a healthy challenge in ladder leaders UHS-VU at home at Bennettswood Reserve, kicking off another triple header with the men’s teams looking to get one over Aquinas.

Gunn's drawn in the two's, Seniors slip in the second half

Slow starts, sloppy second halves, and a comeback for the ages has seen the Animals have a Saturday that leaves more questions than answers ahead of the second half of the season.

The Reserves kicked things off by handing the Cobras a three goal lead before Tom Birkett continued his stellar form by dragging the Animals back in to the game with a brace of tight angle goals. Will Morris then kept the Animals within touch with his first goal since July 2017, marking a successful return to the Animals fold.

Canterbury had the lions share of the game in the second half, but the Animals were able to hold on with the Cobras wayward kicking seeing a 2.5 to 1.3 quarter.

The game was being won by the Cobras in the middle, which at one stage of the day may have contained grass, but halfway through what was the second game of the day it created a secondary challenge for all involved, one which the Cobras were able to conquer early.

But after a dressing down at half time, and the discovery of another skill in the ever-growing bag of tricks Joe Anker brings to every game, the Animals swung the momentum. Anker was swung into a tagging role of Canterbury’s best mid in Jordan Tomas. After stand in coach Jonathan Greensides delivered a speech that will be recounted for years to come, Anker locked down Tomas and drew the ire of the Cobras team. Distracted by the side battle, the Animals pounced and made it a two kick game heading into the final term.

The Cobras kicked clear again early in the fourth, but more inspirational play by Anker lifted his teammates and the Animals begun to surge. Slowly but surely Leo’s clawed their way back and with 4 minutes to go it was back to a two kick game.

Enter Josh Webb. Webb had been in and out of the contest throughout the day, but Webb chose the perfect time to unleash his booming left foot to split the sticks in what was his final input of the day from 55m out.

It was the time for the Animal to pull out the big guns, Lachlan Gunn to be exact. After already beating his direct opponent in the air earlier in the quarter, Gunn did it again in almost the exact same spot. Like his earlier kick, gun barrel straight, it was met with a roar from the Animals bench and supporters, and with only 40 seconds left on the clock saw the Animals claw their way back to split the points.

The Seniors were not as slow out of the blocks than their reserve counterparts, but were in a similar position after a quarter of football. Foxy Beluszar was dominant in the air early, with Brent Simons accruing early touches until he was felled in a sweeping movement that ended in an Animals goal.

The second term was the best half hour of football for the day by the Seniors, but were only able to convert 22 inside 50’s in to 3 goals, whilst holding Canterbury to 3 behinds. A backline still missing some key components was doing more than its fair share in shutting down a dangerous Cobra outfit. The brilliance of Paul Baranello was shining through, and he was willing the Animals along. Simons, Emerson Lemkau, and Alex Stokes were all chipping in and the Animal headed into the long break in control of the contest.

However the winds of change swept through after half time, and the Cobras struck often and with intent. A goalless term from the Animals left them reeling as they turned for home, and the rallying cry was put out there for the Animals to stand up and send a message to the Cobras and the rest of the league.

Canterbury were the ones who made their own statement however, and in the late winter sun that bathed the Canterbury Sportsground kicked 4 goals to run away with a 32 point win and leave the Animals searching for answers entering the second half of the season.

The reserves stay in 3rd on the table, now with the wildcard element of a draw to their points total, whilst the Seniors stay 4th but see their spot in the 4 still far from secure.

Animals look to charm Canterbury

In a rare moment of symmetry, Emmaus (3-3 and 4-2) will travel to their closest rival in 2019 when they take on Canterbury (4-2 and 3-3).

Both clubs will be aiming to draw level and move away from each other on the table which is slowly taking shape, but does not have long left to reveal its final form, with both sides officially hitting the halfway mark of their campaigns.

The Reserves will look cement another week in 3rd when they take on Canterbury who sit one game behind the Animals, and will do so with the Divisions leading goalkicker in Tom Birkett.

Birkett’s 9 goal outing last time out against North Brunswick catapulted him to the top of the pile, and he will be looking to do the same, if not more damage, against a side that failed to inflict the same amount of defeat on the same opponent.

Will Morris makes his long awaited Animals return in the ruck, and will look to feed a star-studded middle for the Animals Twos featuring a returning Jason Schinck and Kieran Jenkins

The Senior Animals will be looking to peg back their closest rivals on the table when they travel the brief 15 minute ride to Canterbury Sportsground in a delayed start.

Co-Captain Harry Davis will miss the vital mid-season clash, but coach Ian Ledder is still able to name a strong line-up for the clash.

Sean Howard comes in for the middle Davis on the bench, in one of two changes for the Seniors after their 75 point demolition job of North Brunswick before the Queens Bye.

Vice-Captain Nathan Bird stays forward after kicking 7 goals in his last two games, whilst Brent Simons will start the game forward with him. It has been the Animals ability for their midfielders to rest forward and still heavily impact the game which has many still positive about what lays ahead for the second half of the year.

Alex Stokes will start in the ruck, with regular ruckman Kevin Moloney relieving him from the benches in what will undoubtedly be yet another consistently fantastic shift delivered by the man the call “Kev”.

A slight shuffle down back sees the other ruckman in Chook O’Connor starts at CHB for the Animals, with Joden Crothers moving closer to goal to assist Sam Argus and Ben Collins.

The Cobras are undefeated at home in 2019 in both divisions, with their Twos already eclipsing their total number of wins in 2018, whilst the seniors 4 wins in 5 guys has seen them leave an opening round drubbing the past.

Both games have slightly delayed start times

Animals look to avoid the Krush

Football is finally back for Emmaus St Leo’s this weekend after a VAFA-wide bye due to the Queen’s birthday and it’s the women’s team kicking off proceedings as always with a game against Oakleigh away from home.

The Animalettes are feeling fresh and ready to attack the latter part of the season the only way they know how, with Animals spirit. Oakleigh headed into the bye off a 76-0 thrashing by UHS-VU at home and will be looking for redemption. It’s a new venue for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team, who haven’t been to W.A Scammell Reserve before, and they’ll look to make it their own this coming Saturday.

It’s becoming the tale of the season, with Oakleigh sitting on 12 points and one rung above the Animalettes on the ladder. Oakleigh’s last win was against Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team at Bennettswood Reserve, and they’ll be hoping to use that to their advantage. A big win here for the Animalettes will have them jump the ladder and serve them well for team belief.

Another tale of the season seems to be the fact that the Animalettes are once again without a bench this week, with only 17 players named. In the backline is Bec Herne, Kayla Hetherington at fullback and Amy Ronchi, with support from Jess Dawson, Sally Hood and Dee Burden at halfback. Grace de Cesare and Ashleigh Morley will share the wings, Maddy Hogan is in ruck, with Shellby Lonie, Sam Hogarth and Shanelle Blachford at her feet. In the attacking half of the ground, Jess Evans, Shannon Harris and Kate Lucas are sitting at half forward, with Bridget Monaghan and Sheridan Harris sharing the full forward role deep. Among the notable outs are Claire Anderson, Sam Bridgland and Tara Ingham.

Passion is high for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team. There’s a clean slate with no history at Oakeigh’s home ground and the Animalettes will be looking to leave with the battle firmly won on their side. Is the lack of players likely to inspire some on field heroics? Will another backline player score a goal? Get down to W.A Scammell Reserve and find out! First bounce is at 9.20am.

Mid Season Review - Women

Half the year has gone already, with only 6 games left of the 2019 season for Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team. At this stage, the Animalettes have played 8 games, and are sitting 7th on the ladder with 2 wins and 6 losses. Head Coach Roy Fenton isn’t shy about the situation, knowing full well that ‘we aren’t in the position we’d like to be’ but isn’t loath to admit that it hasn’t been easy ‘with a few injuries and girls unavailable in the last few games, it makes it hard with little to no rotations.’ An impressive aspect of the Animalettes this season has been the way the backline have held up under immense pressure. Consistency has been key, and it has shown in the way the team works in the back half. Claire Anderson’s season in the backline has been fantastic to see and Shellby Lonie has had a breakout season and cannot be contained, regardless of where she plays on the field. She is a stalwart in the backline and can take impressive intercept marks, but her ability to burst out of packs and make an impact on the scoreboard isn’t missed either. Fenton’s areas of particular improvement are in the intensity and endeavouring to be first to the footy, believing that tightening this up will make a difference in how his team controls the ball. In his second season as coach, he’s incredibly impressed with the improvement in skills from the players who played last season, and the addition of the new players has worked well. He knows that if the team continues to train hard, a win is not far away. Off-field, the Animalettes have continued to facilitate an environment that is non-judgemental and fun, whilst still maintaining and improving their football skills. The camaraderie shown really just proves how much they are a part of the Animals family. There have been moments of brilliance in each of the games the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team have played this season, and once that becomes a full game, four-quarter effort, they’ll be unstoppable. The belief is there and it’s amazing to watch.

Sheridan Harris - Women's player

Mid Season Review - Seniors

Sitting 4th on the ladder the Seniors have lost two very winnable games after 1⁄2 time.

We are still working on understanding the game style and getting skills to a point where we can execute the game plan effectively.

The players have shown on a few occasions how good they can be, and this has been mentioned by opposition coaches, we just have to put a full 4 quarters together and start believing we are capable of being a competitive side in this competition and when we achieve this, I believe we can be very successful.

We are now running with 4 coaches between the two squads and this has seen a great improvement in players game and skill knowledge, we have now seen more intense training sessions now that we can split the players into smaller groups.

Having so many registered players can actually be a great problem to have for the seniors, as no positions are final. We have introduced a 27 player squad for the remainder of the season, with the plan to bolster and improve the side, getting some competition between the starters.

Our short‐term goal is to win the next 2 games, before our Byes. Strategically, the byes will set up us for the remainder of the season, giving injured players a chance to become available for selection, and those who have played hard, a well deserved rest.

Long term we want/need to finish in the top 2, I believe the squad is more than capable of this seeing the competition we have played.

For a squad that has really only played together (all players) 4 times. I am very pleased with the results thus far and with good training efforts and the enthusiasm the players are now bringing, we can improve each game and give ourselves every chance of success come the pointy end of the season.

Ian Ledder - Seniors Coach

Mid Season Review - Reserves

Coming into the season a little late, I was a bit nervous onto how I would adapt and fit in with the playing group as a previous player now coach. But from the first training session I came down, I could see that we have a special group. Having the registered number of players at 84 (and going up) it was going to be very difficult for the coaching panel to pick just 44 players, with a number of new faces coming down for their first years at the club, as well as some old faces returning to the Animals family.

Players such as Flynn Normand-McMahon, Zac Durrant, Zac Kearns and the Hunt brothers have slotted into the group seamlessly, with club “veterans” Adam Athorne, Steve Jones, “Chook” O’ Connor and Nic Glanville leading the way. Being six games into a fourteen-game season at 4 wins and 2 tight losses, we have started well and hopefully can continue this form going into the back half of the year.

Wins against Parkdale and North Brunswick have been fantastic, with great individual efforts from Harry Wines (Parkdale, 30+ disposals) and Tom Birkett (North Brunswick, 9 goals) highlighting the days.

A new game plan being introduced has had its hiccups as excepted, but with 3 wins on the trot the coaches can see the improvement from all players since the start of the season. The comradery and mateship shown from the boys has been the highlight of my year so far, with a lot of boys staying for Thursday night dinners, getting down early to watch the girls play and getting around the injured players.

We can go a long way with this Reserves team this season, and if we stick together the sky is the limit.

Sizzle Sizzle.

Tom Clarke - Reserves Coach

Bulleen run riot at animals temple

On Saturday morning, Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team kicked off proceedings of another triple header at Bennettswood Reserve but were unable to repeat their efforts from earlier in the season, going down by 51 points to Bulleen-Templestowe.

With Kayla Hetherington and Soraya Jeanes unfortunately having to miss the game due to illness and injury, the Animalettes came out of the blocks firing, making their presence known to their opponents in the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants which Head Coach Roy Fenton was ecstatic with. On field, there were a couple of players being switched around with Claire Anderson starting on the wing and vice-captain Sam Bridgland playing full back.

Despite the fast start, the Animalettes couldn’t make an impact on the scoreboard, their only goal of the game coming in the second quarter due to a rarely-seen 100m penalty that saw Bridgland herself line up for a set shot 15 metres from the line and kick her first ever goal for the Animals. She had to run back to the backline quickly before the next bounce. For the first half, the Animalettes did what the do best, with tackling pressure up and a huge sense of belief encompassing the ground. Unfortunately, as Fenton laments, ‘our movement and control of the ball deteriorated as the game went on. Bulleen were more aggressive to the footy and were able to get it forward more often than us.’

It wasn’t all bad news, with Shellby Lonie having an incredible game off halfback and Sally Hood slotting back into the backline nicely. Anderson played well in her new role on the wing, running hard and enjoying the freedom that comes with a midfield role. Maddy Hogan continues to impress everybody with the way she goes about the ruck, and provides a tall target when the ball gets forward. In the end, the Bullants ran away winners, consistently elevating their score each quarter til they finished the game 7.16.58 to Emmaus St Leo’s 1.1.7.

Despite the loss, Fenton was impressed with how the team ‘maintained our spirit and never say die attitude til the end, which is a huge credit to the girls.’

The Animalettes have the weekend off due to the Queen’s birthday bye. Their next opponent will be a tough one in Oakleigh, away from home. Hopefully the two weeks off means Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team will come back refreshed and ready to attack the remaining games of the season. They head to W.A. Scammell Reserve for a 9:20am start and will look to shake off the cobwebs and get a win away.

Men bullish about chances before Queens Bye

The visit of North Brunswick to Burwood tomorrow affords both Mens sides the opportunity to solidify their top 4 credentials before the first VAFA mandated bye of 2019.

The Reserves have been solid without spectacular in 2019 outside of their opening round win against a promoted side in Parkside. The opportunity arises to face the other promoted side in the section, and another opportunity to send a message to Aquinas and Richmond Central that the Animals will not concede a top 2 spot without a fight.

The return of the Reserves leadership in Adam Athorne, Steve Jones, and Nic Glanville is an instantaneous strengthening of the side, with all three slotting immediately back in to key positions for the Tom Clarke led side.

Jones and Glanville join a star studded forward line featuring proven goalkickers in Tom Birkett, Lachlan Gunn, and Dan Hill. Rounded out by Zac Kearns who found his range last time out, and its a forward line built to score, something the Animals Reserves are guilty of not exploiting in their previous encounter.

Through the middle, ruckman Kevin Moloney returns to twos footy where he made an instant impact in 2018. Kev will have two of the Animals more intriguing prospects in Sean Howard and Josh Webb whilst also being joined by the ever consisten Louis Fasolino.

Down back co-captain Adam Athorne bolster a backline full of experience and grit. Fraser Walker trades the mic for the boots to start at Fullback whilst fresh off his Table Tennis championship win last week, Lachlan Chapman will be keen to carry his winning form onto the field.

Courtesy of the bye, the Seniors consecutive losses which bounced them out of the top 4 beforehand, landed them right back in it. However failure to take advantage of this opportunity will see the bye take away their top 4 status.

It’s a seniors side searching for consistency on multiple fronts. On the field they will be searching for a 4 quarter performance, with losses to both Manningham and Westbourne coming through lapses in concentration in completely different circumstances.

It’s a scenario the Seniors will be none too keen to repeat at home to a North Brunswick side the only team tracking worse in Division 3 form wise. A 5th consecutive loss leaves the Senior Bulls with a questioned status of remaining in the section, questions they will be keen to answer and do so convincingly.

The return of co-captain Chris Beluszar adds an extra weapon to an Animals forward line in desperate need of correction after their 12 goal 20 behind performance last time around. Ray Kuhnell makes his first start for the Senior side in 2019 after coming off the bench last time round, the Animals will rely on his forward pressure to help lock the ball in to what will be a damp Bennettswood Reserve.

Through the middle, other co-captain Harry Davis makes his first start in the middle of the ground for 2019 after being deployed as a forward to start the season. He’ll team up with Paul Baranello and Brent Simons to feed of the quality rucking of Jonathan O’Connor.

Down back, Joden Crothers has been moved higher up the ground to be flanked by the other two Davis brothers, whilst Reece Luehman slots into a deeper role than in previous weeks.

Women look to make losing a Temp situation

We’re exactly halfway through the 2019 home and away season and Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team are back home again to kick off the next triple header at Bennettswood Reserve, playing host to the Bulleen-Templestowe Bullants. The past couple of weeks have been rough for the Animalettes, who haven’t won a game since their round 3, two-point win over Swinburne University and last weekend saw their second scoreless defeat of the year. The Bullants will still be smarting from the last time they faced Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team after surrendering their lead in the last quarter to lose by 12 points at home. The Animalettes will be searching for the toughness that won them that game and look to bring it to the ground on Saturday.

Both the Bullants and the Animalettes are coming off consecutive losses and will be aiming to remedy that come Saturday. Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team sit one rung lower than the Bullants who are only in 6th position because of percentage, which absolutely sounds like a broken record. On equal points, there’s a huge opportunity for the Animalettes to jump ahead on the ladder, as well as boost their own percentage with a big win.

Selection news for the first time in a couple of weeks has a full side named, including an emergency. The unbeatable trio of Bec Herne, Claire Anderson and Sam Bridgland will be starting on the backline, bolstered by an equally tough half line in Sally Hood, Shellby Lonie and Dee Burden. Maddy Hogan starts as ruck, with Jess Dawson and Soraya Jeanes are on the board to begin out on the wings. On the ball is Tara Ingham, Shanelle Blachford and Sam Hogarth. This week, there’s a slight shake up for the entire forward line, with Grace de Cesare, Sheridan Harris and Jess Evans forming the half forward group, and Kate Fletcher, Amy Ronchi and Bridget Monaghan starting closer to goal. Ashleigh Morley, Delaney Morvell, Kate Lucas, Shannon Harris, Brooke Chapman and Shino Walsh will start on the bench, and Sarah Smith has been named as emergency.

Spirits have been high at training despite the obviousness of win-loss ratio, with the intensity never dropping. Around the group, it feels like there’s a win just around the corner. Will the forward line shake up end the Animalettes’ scoring woes? With a bench and a full side on the park, is it going to be another come-from-behind win or will they lead from the beginning? Get down to Bennettswood Reserve to find out, and stick around to watch the men’s teams take on North Brunswick with the annual Animals Family Luncheon also happening from 12pm onwards. It’s set to be a cracking day at home, first bounce is at 9.20am!

Leo's fall in rough outing

It was yet more despair for the Animals Women’s side against Prahran as the Two Blues notched up yet another win to condemn the Animalettes to a fourth straight heading into the midway point of the season.

In what was built to be a defensive slog, Prahran showed an attacking potency not seen by them in games gone by to run out to an early 2 goal lead as they kicked with a stiff breeze in their backs. The Animals then repelled gallantly until a mix up as to when the finish of the quarter occurred allowed Prahran to tack an extra tally at the end and lead by 4 kicks.

The second quarter was a lesson in football the Animalettes will not soon forget, as Prahran blew the game wide apart with superior attack on the ball and execution of a midfield wall that was second to none. Leo’s were left trying to catch a breath in the mere seconds between repeated forward 50 entries which, if not for the heroics of Claire Anderson, may have seen the damage been much worse.

Instead Anderson was a woman on a mission to try and keep the Animals any sort of hope in the second half. Missing her partners in crime Sammy Bridgland and Kayla Heatherington, it was left to Claire to shut down as many of Prahran’s key threats as possible.

And if the game wasn’t bad enough, Men’s ruckman Tom “Tiny” Coleman provided the ultimate blow on the day, proceeding to drop the half time lolly container. The fumble saw its contents sprawl across the Basil St Reserve floor and summed up the half, and day. It’s a job he will be none too quick to be tasked with again.

In the second half, Anderson got some help, with Captain Sally Hood dropping back from her more preferred forward position and Jess Evans slotting in from the wing. Hood and Evans joined Anderson to build a wall of there own and in what was a mission of damage limitation, the trio played spectacularly.

Assistant Coach Brendan Ellwood was in high praise of the move, and the effort that was shown in rectifying the first half problems.

“Sally and Moo were still fairly fresh after minimal action in the forward line in the first half. Throwing them back to get more involved opened the opportunity for some of the midfueld rotation to get some more rest up forward on a day when we were short on numbers. Both girls are on-fields generals in their way, using their voice and understanding of the game to bolster and coordinate those around them, and both have an exceptional ability and understanding of where to position themselves to rebound the footy. We've seen jess do it in a wing or half forward role so to see her excel in a similar job down back opens some options for us.”

Maddy Hogan and Bridget Monaghan also toiled away in the ruck against an opponent who whilst may have outsized them, was constantly outdone in the contest by the pair. Hogan then lifted her workrate, and managed to limit the re-entries of Prahran by shutting down her direct opponent in a performance which was noticed by those on the sidelines.

“Snook has sneaky good games. You'll get toward half time and suddenly go "jeez, she's been good today". Competes well against bigger rucks, but the most impressive bit is her willingness to impact the contest at ground level too. She's laid some ripping tackles this year, applies pressure and is often seen picking herself up out of a pack after forcing a ball up, which she is then going to ruck for. The longer she can run that role in a game, the more bridget is able to sit forward and clunk marks.”

The Animals finished the third on the attack, and took that buoyancy into the final term as well. However this was a Prahran team playing with confidence, and were beginning to find ways into the rejigged Animals backline as fatigue set in. Despite the lack of ability to rest, that didn’t stop the Women from putting in an effort that gave hope for the second half of the season, with Ellwood emphatic in his desires for the rest of the year.

“For the second year we feel.like our record doesnt totally reflect our team ability or performance. We know with a full squad available and playing to our ability we can take it to anyone. Ultimately from here what we are looking for is consistency in terms of the effort each week.”

Volunteers still what make Animals tick behind the scenes

Last week marked National Volunteer Week and what better way to celebrate than to shed some light on the tireless work that some of Emmaus St Leo’s very own volunteers do for their club. Current club president Alex Maunders could not speak more highly of all the volunteers whose dedication ‘is the lifeblood of any community club’ and without them, such a club would not exist. These volunteers embody the Animals spirit and keep the club going, and it’s those we’re celebrating this week.

Andrew McCormack could quite literally be considered a cornerstone of the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club. At Bennettswood Reserve, you’re more likely to hear him referred to as ‘Doc’ or even ‘Doctor Mack’ which comes from a self-appointment of a ‘doctor liaison officer’ job title during footy trips, as well as a way of separating the many ‘Macks’ who used to be around the club. As designated barman, Doc is probably more likely to remember your drink order than he is your name! His job titles have changed considerably since he joined the club in round 5 of the 1971 season, the first year of the club. First, he was a player, who had to retire in 1984 just short of his 200 games due to a back injury. He felt compelled to stay around the club, citing its culture and how the Animals family looked after each other in tough times. Doc’s been a runner, water boy, trainer, done rub downs, provided some strange remedies for players relating to alcohol, and was a self-confessed ‘opposition antagoniser’. But in 2019, he’s still the barman, and does a good job of being the men’s team manager on Saturdays, as well as helping out around the club as he’s mostly certainly not passed his use by date. The fact that he’s still going strong is a testament to how much he loves the Animals.

Club President Alex Maunder believes he is a true legend of the club and calls the amount of work he puts in before players arrive and well after they leave, immense.
”The club wouldn’t function without him. His 4 premiership flags with the club have instilled in him a great sense of achievement and pride which will stay with him for life, fully believing the three Emmaus St Leo’s teams to be capable of their own flags this year.”

He’s also incredibly proud to be able to see the granddaughter of first club president Bill Stephen, Sam Bridgland, take the field with the women’s side.

You could probably recognise his dog, Lily, well before you could recognise him given her sneaky ability to find a way out onto the ground during a game, but her owner, Phil O’Donoghue, affectionately known as OD around the club, is a majorly important member of the Animals family. He can remember being a part of the club back as far as 1975. In those 40+ years, he’s served 7 as secretary, 10 on the committee, and 1 as president, though willingly admits that the reason he hasn’t played a game is because he has two left feet. There have been rumours that OD has played one, but McCormack vehemently denies it, and if anybody would know, it’s definitely him! Now, OD is head trainer and does the kit bags to ensure that the other trainers are set and ready for game day. He probably dedicates at least 10 to 12 hours a week to the club, believing that it’s a good interest to have and the people around the club are fantastic. His responsibilities also include being facilities manager of the new clubrooms by the committee, which means he deals with the council with things like blocked toilets. Him and Lily are always the first to arrive on game days, OD making sure the facilities and the rooms are in shape for all three teams and Lily running the birds away from the ground and ensuring there aren’t any new smells that need investigating. Maunders believes that OD is part of the fabric of the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club given his involvement since the very early days. He also names OD’s hot roast beef rolls as an institution of end of season functions.

Sarah Dawson is the women’s team manager and she makes sure things go smoothly on game days, like team sheets are correct, and organising volunteers for things like boundary and goal umpiring. She found the job opportunity online, and was excited about giving it a go, and be able to get involved in suburban football again. The club has impressed her with both its facilities and how everyone is willing to help everyone.

Cam Gardner runs out onto the ground every weekend as an Animal, but he’s also the guy who keeps up to date with the team managers to make sure they’ve got everything they need. He also liaises with past players, coaches, and supporters who might be able to help out for game day roles. Once teams get read out on Thursday nights, he also allocates non-playing players to vacant roles. His role in the committee also has him helping make the policies for the club this season.

To put it simply, the work of the volunteers week in week out makes the Emmaus St Leo’s Football Club the place to be. Their dedication is second to none and it just speaks to the culture that the Animals have facilitated at Bennettswood Reserve that people are so willing to put time and effort to preserve it. Both Maunders and the club cannot thank them enough for their contribution each and every week.