Mid Year Review - Reserves

The 2021 season has been pleasing so far for Emmaus St Leo’s reserves side, with Keegan Ledder at the helm. They currently sit one game clear in third spot on the ladder, but only by percentage as they share the same 5-2 win/loss ratio with Parkside who are in the top 2. Big victories over cellar dwellers Albert Park and the Westbourne Grammarians, as well as North Brunswick have cemented the reigning premiers well into the top four and has done them plenty of favours in their quest of going back-to-back. 

With 2020 being the year that was, and the addition of a third men’s team for Emmaus St Leo’s, there’s been quite a few new Animals who have pulled on the blue and blue, while many have returned to take their shot at getting that premiership medallion. 

The Emmaus St Leo’s reserves side midfield has always been a challenging beast to conquer, but with the addition of first-year players in Adam Bullivant, Noah Skiller and Guy Donovan for 2021, there has been no harder task for the opposition. Bullivant must in search of a new favourite number, being five from five in games played and best-on lists made, with five goals to his name and his sharp work through the middle making him hard to beat anywhere on the ground. Skiller has managed to play all seven games and snagged two majors of his own, earning himself a spot in the best-on-ground list once, while Donovan has kicked four goals in four games, and made the list three times, as well as run out with the seniors twice. 

Backline player Cameron Price’s first year has started off incredibly well, his six appearances yielding top honours three times as well as a sneaky goal, while Dan Quattro’s introduction to the forward line has seen him kick 19 goals in six games to be one of the best three times, and become one half of the one of the best goalkicking duos to don the blue and blue. 

For the familiar faces, the Animals’ very own VP Cameron Gardner has proven himself to be quite the VIP on the field this season, playing all over the defensive half of the ground and being one of the best three times in his six games. Joining him in defence has been Tom Wales, whose third year at Emmaus St Leo’s has been met with six games and three best-on-ground performances, while also wandering down to the forward line to kick a sneaky major, after missing his first chance seconds before. 

Anthony Smith has also returned for his first season of Animals footy in three years, making the forward line his own to be second on the Division 3 goalkicking leader-board with 29 goals from seven games, earning top honours three times, and being the other half of the forward line’s dynamic duo. And in his second season at Emmaus St Leo’s, Connor Leevers’ five games have yielded three appearances on the best players list, and two goals.

Honourable mentions go to club stalwart and seasoned fullback James Rippon, who’s played all seven games and also kicked a cheeky goal, and first-year player Matthew Price scoring four goals from his six games to be one of the best twice. Isaac Waite’s five goals from five reserves games saw him finally earn his seniors debut after adding to his five reserves games in 2019, while Ben Severin has kicked a goal and earned two best-on-ground performances in six games in his first year for the club. 

2019 was the year for the Emmaus St Leo’s reserves, but 2021 is shaping up to be great one too. The loss against Hawthorn was a game they arguably should have won, while going down to Canterbury by only three points was off the back of some poor kicking, finishing the game 10.15 to the Cobras’ 12.6. But it’s the comprehensive wins, particularly by 56 points against ladder-leaders in Richmond Central to gift them their only loss of the season so far and a close one against Parkside by 7, that has the Animals family healthily intrigued by what’s to come in the last half of the season. 

After seven games, Emmaus St Leo’s reserves are well set for the rest of the season. Their forward line is formidable enough as it is, but they have enough depth both in the team and out of it to make it incredibly difficult for their opponents, and if past games are anything to go by, it’s going to be tough to score against their defenders. With footy’s return date still relatively up in the air, the Animals will face Hawthorn for the second time this season if the fixture remains the same. Like the Thirds, redemption is well on the cards for Emmaus St Leo’s to even the ledger at 1-1 as the Hawks make the trek over to Bennettswood Reserve. 

Mid Year Review - Thirds

It’s been a tough introduction to VAFA life for Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds team, who sit 8th on the overall ladder and are 1-6 after seven rounds, their only taste of victory against bottom-of-the-ladder La Trobe University. But while the scoreboard hasn’t been kind in 2021, the Animals Thirds have never once looked to give up, both on the field and off it. 

With the introduction of a third men’s team for the 2021 season, Emmaus St Leo’s knew they were going to find it tough at the selection table given so many fresh faces, so many returning, and not enough spots. 

In their first seasons as Animals, Alex Lavery, Nick Rodway, and Lachlan Hicks have all stood up tall. Lavery has managed three best-on-ground performances from the three games he’s played, his work in the midfield crucial to his team’s ball movement, while Rodway has been steadfast in defence to be in the best players list three times from his five appearances. Hicks, whose form in the Thirds saw him debut in the reserves, has been instrumental in the midfield with his unwillingness to be beaten in hardball gets and contested marks, consistently putting his body on the line for his teammates. 

Bolstering a team of nearly entirely new faces for Emmaus St Leo’s has been inaugural Thirds captain and ruck-extraordinaire Oscar McVann, who’s taken to the captaincy like a duck to water, kicking one goal and earning best-on once in his five games to lead from the front. Everyone’s favourite Animal Jonathan Greensides returned to the field after recovering from injury, but not before taking the coaching reigns for the first few games of the season. In Greensides’ two games, he kicked three goals and played a huge role in leading the team on the field. 

While the beginning has been rough for the Thirds, it hasn’t all been bad, with their victory against La Trobe University being one to remember, as they left the field 32-point winners to take home the four points after leading at every break. Tom McBride starred, kicking four goals in a performance that helped see him run out with the reserves two weeks later, while Sam Heffernan and Adrian Mazzeo contributed three majors of their own, and Lachlan Thompson and John Sanderson two each. Jaxson Penny kicked one to make up the fifteen kicked on the day. 

Honourable mentions go to the feel-good story of the year as Greg Rollo-Walker finally debuted in the blue and blue after an unfortunate run with injuries, as well as a few of the men getting their chances to play at a higher level. Jackson Campbell, Luke Foley, Harry McConnell, Ben Kearns, Aaron Burrows, and Tom Elliott all joined McBride, Hicks, and Rodway in running out with the reserves at least once. 

At this point in the season, the Thirds hold a lot of potential. Anyone who has seen them play is aware of their flashes of brilliance and once the cohesion and connection is sorted through all groups on the ground, they’re going to be hard to beat. If all goes to plan and VAFA footy returns soon with the draw to remain the same, the Animals will be on the hunt for redemption as they travel to Gordon Barnard Reserve to face the Old Camberwell Grammarians for the second time this season. 

Seniors the sole success for Men

A fast start and finish for the Seniors saw them secure the sole Men’s victory, and strengthen their spot in the Division 3 top 4. Rookie Full Forward Jacob Anthony would kick 2 of the first 3 goals, and emerging small forward Sam Barrah 2 of his 3 to finish the game to ensure the Animals held a 2-3 goal lead all day.

The Animals fast start would be the margin in a tightly fought contest on the unique confines of the Canterbury Sportsground, which proved a challenge for the men in blue for most of the day, through a well taken banananana from the man affectionately known as “JA”. Whilst Anthony’s second was of a more conventional source, it would prove to be the catalyst to spark the Cobras in to the game.

The middle section of the game would consist of both sides countering each other, with the Animals at times struggling to implement their gameplan on the more compact oval, but able to maintain their overall control on the match.

By the end of the game, the Animals had worn down their opponents down both physically and mentally to run out 18 point victors to sit 3rd, 2 games ahead of Canterbury in 5th.

In the preceding game, the Cobras would make a comeback in the final quarter to prevail by 3 points. A goal with 30s remaining would seal the contest for the home side, after the Animals spurned multiple opportunities to ice the game.

Dan Quattro would kick yet another bag of 5, making it 16 goals in his last 3 games, whilst Tom McBride would kick 3 himself.

The Thirds were unable to keep up with an Old Camberwell side that were inaccurate as they were skilful. Despite the senior coaching panel taking the reigns for the week, a slightly depleted threes were unable to hit the scoreboard til the second term.

The Wellers would kick 6.14 in the first half in easy conditions by Bennettswood Reserve standards, but would straighten up in the 2nd half.

The loss would see the Animals fall to bottom of the division on percentage.

Em-azing Leo's hold on for first win of '21

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team who found themselves shifted to Division 4 after spending the first five weeks of 2021 in Division 3, but the move has paid dividends this early on as the Animals came away with their first win for the year against Parkside at McDonell Oval in Northcote. Elsewhere, the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds suffered an unfortunate loss at home to the Old Camberwell Grammarians, while the reserves went down to Canterbury in a heart-breaking three-point loss at Canterbury Sportsground. In happier news, the seniors won their third game in a row, beating Canterbury by 18 points to keep their top two hopes alive. 

If there was ever a day the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team should get their first win of season 2021, it was Saturday. And get the win they did. Melbourne provided some exceptional sunshine off the field as the Animals provided it on the field in a come-from-behind win for the ages that saw Assistant Coach Geoff Koop get teary-eyed as he and Head Coach Roy Fenton addressed their charges post-game. 

But pre-game, the vibes were good as the Animals relished what felt like a new lease on life, suiting up to play their first game in a new division, and when the siren went to signal the start of the game, the atmosphere shifted. Known for their sluggish starts, Emmaus St Leo’s were anything but as they competed tough and hard at every turn. And it wasn’t long before the extensive drought was broken and club stalwart Brooke Bishop got the ball on her foot close to the goalsquare, kicking the first blue and blue goal of the season. Suddenly, everything felt possible. 

Parkside went into the first break 4 points up after kicking two goals straight, but in the Animals’ quarter-time huddle, something was sparking. The second term was as much of arm-wrestle as the first, with both teams going goal for goal. For Emmaus St Leo’s, Mel Barlow kicked truly in the forward 50 to get her first goal ever in football, while Molly Tancred taught her teammates a few things about set shots as she sent one straight through the big sticks to see her team down by only 5 going into half time. 

As the Animals walked off the field and into the rooms for the main break, the feeling was palpable. The energy was high, given they’d just played their best half of football for the year and still felt like they had more to give. In games past, third quarters have always been Emmaus St Leo’s best and it wasn’t any different on Saturday, as Shannon Harris was Animals-spirit personified, smothering a Parkside kickout in their defensive 50, resulting in a quick handball from Aisha Fairweather to Bishop, who kicked her second goal of the game. Despite their efforts, the Animals still went into the final quarter 5 points down after both teams kicked 1.2.

Third terms may be known as premiership quarters but it was the fourth where Emmaus St Leo’s put their foot down to leave the field winners for the first time in 2021. Tancred added to her goal tally, sailing one through the middle from another set shot, while Emma Johnson’s previous experience in front of goals had no bearing on the snap kick she tumbled through, kicking the sealer late in the quarter. There was some protesting from Parkside players that it was touched on the line, which delayed celebrations, but once the goal umpire signalled with both hands, the final nail was in the Red Devils’ coffin. With a minute to go, having clearly played one of the best games of her football career already, Bishop put her body on the line to smother a Parkside kick on the wing, and in doing so, ended the game bloody-faced on the bench. Aware that time was ticking, the Red Devils’ last attempt to get within a kick had them with a set shot, but much to their chagrin the final siren sounded. The Animals’ celebrations were muted until the ball hit the deck, ultimately falling short as those in the blue and blue ran from everywhere to get around their teammates. 

This win was a long time coming for the Animals, whose whispered promise kept those invested in the team on the edge of their seats for each and every game they played. No one has ever doubted their potential and ability to get the job done, but to do it the way they did on the weekend was an incredibly proud moment for both the team and the club and will serve them incredibly well in the future. 

Bridget Crowe at centre halfback was named best on for the winning side, playing out of her skin in a rebounding role alongside Eilish Wallace and Emily Kerr in defence. Tancred, Barlow, and Vic Holt’s work in the middle of the ground compounded the efforts of those behind the ball all day, with a surge mentality that quite obviously contributed to the Animals’ scoreboard pressure and subsequent defence of their lead, especially late in the fourth quarter. 

A rousing rendition of Grand Old Flag could be heard from the rooms as those who knew the words sang loudly and proudly for the first time in a very long time, while the women inside the winner’s circle celebrated their first win at the club with genuine attempts at the lyrics, and some deserving yelling and cheering. 

Women gifted a shot and a fresh start

It’s a brand-new challenge for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team in the form of Parkside in their first game in their new home of Division 4. Final confirmation came through from the VAFA and after a few back-and-forths with the Red Devils themselves, the Animals will make their divisional debut at McDonell Park at the unusual time of 10:40am. Elsewhere, the Thirds are the only Animals at home at Bennettswood Reserve this weekend as they take on the Old Camberwell Grammarians at the 9:20am, and the reserves and seniors will head to Canterbury Sportsground in some good form to face Canterbury. 

Coming into the game is fresh start for an Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team who couldn’t find their footing in Division 3 despite showing sparks of potential in the five games they played to begin the year. Parkside have spent their year in Division 4 already but remain in a similar boat to the Animals, despite having two wins on the board already. 

Team selection has Eilish Wallace at fullback, with Dee Burden and Sam Hogarth providing support on the flanks, and Eleanor Tunley, Bridget Crowe and Taylia Hough at halfback. Susan Sohar and Ash Morley will run the wings, while inside Mel Barlow, Maria Aloisi and Vic Holt will be at Molly Tancred’s feet. At half-forward sits Emily Kerr, Aisha Fairweather and Bridget Monaghan, while Maddy Mazar, Allie Lemchens and Brooke Bishop will start deep in the attacking 50. Rounding out the team is Emma Johnson, Shannon Harris, Sheridan Harris, Dani Barton, Celine Khong and Lilly Hutchinson who will all start on the bench. 

The Animals are back in the blue and blue this week as their bye meant that the last game they played was in the annual pink guernseys for Mother’s Day. Parkside are going to present a challenge, but Saturday’s game is a huge opportunity for the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team to prove their capabilities in a new division. Will a new division finally make the Animals click? Who will kick the first goal of the year? Get down to McDonnell Park to watch your favourite Animals and find out! First bounce is at 10:40am. 

Men face tricky trio of contests

Bennettswood Reserve is home to only one Emmaus St Leo’s team this weekend as the Thirds welcome the Old Camberwell Grammarians. The Animals are coming off an unfortunate loss to Elsternwick while the Old Camberwell Grammarians are in some good form after beating the Melbourne High School Old Boys by 64 points away from home. 

At the selection table this week, an Animals favourite returns to bolster a side looking for their second win. Cooper Walter and Lachlan Thompson will start on the halfback flanks, providing support to Michael Mazzeo at fullback. Tom Voogt, Nick Rodway, and Darcy Burke, returning for his first game of the year, round out the defensive 50. On the wings are Greg Rollo-Walker and Jeff Riordan, while captain Oscar McVann returns to take ruck duties, with Matthew Lewis, Sean Nathan and Nathan Zoumpoukas at his feet. Starting high on 50 metre line are Jaxson Penny and Jai Lamperd, as Carlos Urbina and Lachlan Carboon provide help in the middle of the forward line to Anthony Smith and Jonathan Bradley who are beginning the game deep in the attacking 50. On the bench is David Cowell, Niles Sheridan, Sonny Dipietro and Ajay Singh. 

This weekend will be a really good test for the Animals Thirds as they go up against some quality competition, so get down to Bennettswood Reserve to watch the intriguing battle! First bounce is at 9:20am.

While the Thirds remain at home to face the Old Camberwell Grammarians, the reserves and seniors will head to Canterbury Sportsground to take on Canterbury. For the reserves, the top spot on the ladder is up for grabs depending on other results, while the seniors look to shore up their top 4 position this early on in the season. 

Both Emmaus St Leo’s teams will head into the games against the Cobras high off two comprehensive wins against Albert Park sides who probably lost the games before they even started. For Canterbury, their wins against the Westbourne Grammarians in round six will set them in good stead for Saturday.

Head-to-head, the Cobras seniors will have some unfinished business to take care of when they welcome Emmaus St Leo’s at home, given that their 2019 finals efforts were ended by those in the blue and blue but the Animals will no doubt take confidence from that game into the weekend. For the reserves, the Animals will have left some scars after dismantling Canterbury in their last encounter of the year. 

There’s been a number of changes to the reserves team who took down the Falcons. James Rippon will start at fullback, joined by Fraser Walker and Tom Elliott on the flanks, while at halfback it’s Jackson Campbell, and fresh from their wanderings to the forward line, Tom Wales and Cameron Price. Ben Severin will have Noah Skiller, Guy Donovan and Adam Bullivant at his feet as Connor Leevers and Cameron Gardner take control of the wings. Steve Jones, James Moran, Tom McBride and Harry McConnell will start out of the goalsquare in the forward line, while in it, unstoppable goalkickers Anthony Smith and Dan Quattro return to make life hard for Cobras defenders. Starting on the bench is Mitchell Burrows, and up from the Thirds to make their reserves debuts are Aaron Burrows and Lachlan Hicks while Jonathan Greensides returns. 

While, for the seniors, returning to his usual post at fullback despite kicking two goals in the forward line last week is Sam Argus, flanked by Joden Crothers and Jesse Collins, while at halfback, Zac Kearns and Ben Collins will start either side of Baxter Newbegin. Tom Clarke is once again taking ruck duties while Ethan Phillips, Nathan Bird and Hugh Schaeche will read his taps as Matt Hill and Kieran Mair take their surely trademarked roles on the wings. High up the ground but still forward of the ball is Jacob Glare and Isaac Waite, while inside the attacking 50 at half-forward Jacob Anthony and Harry Davis will provide support to Dan Hill and a returning Jack Hunt in the goalsquare. Sam Barrah, Michael Davis, Lawrence Virgo and Callum Dickinson start on the bench. 

Canterbury Sportsground will be the place to be on Saturday as two interesting games loom on the horizon. The reserves will run out on 11:40am while the seniors follow suit at 2pm. Get down and cheer your favourite Animals on. 

Falcons left flightless by Seniors and Twos, Thirds struggle in early start

Saturday was a bad day to be a Falcon as Emmaus St Leo’s reserves and seniors teams downed two Albert Park sides by 100+ points. Elsewhere at Elsternwick Park, the Animals Thirds went down to a winless Elsternwick by 74 points. 

Melbourne provided an intensely cold morning for football as the weather held off at Elsternwick Park until the siren officially sounded to begin the game like it had been waiting for it. It unleashed rain and hail for the better part of the first quarter before finally easing up at the game went on. 

Alex Lavery was named best-on for the losing side, joined by Nick Rodway who’d been strong in defence all day, with Lachlan Hicks’ and Jaxson Penny’s efforts in the midfield making them part of the Animals’ best-six. Ben Kearns was out of the game early in the second quarter, after copping one high as he led up to take a mark, which gave the match a little heat going forward. 

Playing-coach Jonathan Greensides provided the only real ray of sunshine on an otherwise dreary day for the Thirds, receiving a handball off Sean Nathan, ruthlessly selling candy to an Elsternwick defender and slotting the Animals’ only goal of the game. To be fair, the 1.8.14 final scorecard failed to accurately portray the effort the men put in, especially in the third quarter when their pressure amped up. The weather wreaked havoc on Elsternwick’s scoring opportunities, as they finished 11.22.88 after some unfortunate set shots. 

Overall, the Thirds will take some confidence from their leading up forward and their midfield work into their next game against the Old Camberwell Grammarians at home. 

At Bennettswood Reserve, the reserves held steady in the first quarter to take a small lead into the second, then kicking five goals to Albert Park’s zero scoring shots. At the main break, the 49-point differential seemed arguably unassailable if you were to go by the form on display. The pressure let up slightly in the third term as both teams kicked only two goals each to see the home side up by 47 to begin the final quarter.

With the final nail in the coffin having been hammered in at half time, all caution was thrown to the wind in the last quarter as nine goals were kicked by the Animals, to the Falcons’ one. Getting in on the goal kicking party was reserves fullback James Rippon, as well as fellow defenders Cam Price and Tom Wales, with Wales rueing a missed opportunity early in the fourth before getting another crack at it, much to the delight of those watching from the pavilion.

Unstoppable goal kicking forces Anthony Smith and Dan Quattro both contributed five each to what was eventually nineteen goals kicked overall at the final siren, with Adam Bullivant’s midfield work resulting in two majors of his own. Price was named best-on but it was a whole team effort that allowed such dominance for all four quarters. 

Whatever the Emmaus St Leo’s reserves can do, the Emmaus St Leo’s seniors can do better is surely one of the takeaways from the latter’s game against a winless Albert Park team who didn’t score after quarter time. While the reserves ran away 103-point winners, it was the seniors who beat the Falcons senseless by 153 points at Bennettswood Reserve. And it was misery for the away side from the very beginning as the Animals piled on 4.5 to 1.1 in the first term before kicking five goals in the second to take a 55-point lead into the half time break. 

What followed might need a viewers discretion warning for anyone in the Albert Park camp as those in the blue and blue kicked fourteen goals, evenly spread over the two quarters, with all the play in the Animals’ forward half as they eventually ran out comprehensive winners. 

It was goals galore for what could have probably been the Emmaus St Leo’s entire team had the siren failed to sound, as both Isaac Waite and Jacob Glare kicked their very first Animals seniors goals, with the rest of the team mobbing them to celebrate. Dan Hill kept up his incredible form in front of big sticks, booting a casual six majors to back up his four-goal performance from last week, while captain Harry Davis, Emerson Lemkau, backman-turned-ruck Tom Clarke, Nathan Bird, and Hugh Schaeche all contributed two goals each to what was eventually twenty-three goals out of forty-six scoring shots. 

But what really got the crowd going at Bennettswood Reserve was seasoned fullback Sam Argus finding himself in the forward line and kicking two goals to add to the ever-growing list of insults to injury Albert Park had been subjected to all day. Argus’s first was from a set shot after a lead in the attacking 50 that even his teammates in the forward line would be proud of, while his second was a running snap kick after winning the ball from a contest. If there was anything that could have summed up the Animals’ performances at home on Saturday, it was that. 

This weekend, the men travel to Canterbury Sportsground to face two Canterbury sides looking to keep their top four hopes alive this early on in the season. The Animals themselves will be taking the confidence and form gained in round six into round seven as the reserves look to take top spot on the ladder if they win by a hefty margin, while the seniors aim to stay tight with the two teams above them. 

Thirds face early game at (oval next to) League HQ

Sights are set firmly on the second win of the season for the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds team as they travel to Elsternwick Park to take on an Elsternwick side searching for their first. The reserves and seniors will take on two Albert Park outfits who also no doubt have plans to get their seasons started with their first four points of the year at Bennettswood Reserve, while the women’s side are restricted to solely supporting duties as their first round in Division 4 is a bye. 

It’s been a rough start to existence for the Animals Thirds side, who currently sit at 1-4 for the season. Their showing against the Monash Blues in round five was full of Animals spirit, but a 5.4 to 0.0 final quarter probably told the story of the day. It was worse news for Elsternwick though, who were comfortably beaten by 95 points to see them slump to 0-5 for the 2021 season. 

At the selection table this week, captain Oscar McVann misses due to injury but a number of inclusions sets the Thirds in good stead for Saturday. Lachlan Thompson, Cooper Walter and Aaron Burrows will start at fullback while Ben Kearns, Nick Rodway and Matt Allan join them at halfback. Alex Lavery and Jeff Riordan are running the wings, while inside Jai Lamperd has Lachie Hicks, Tom Voogt and Matthew Lewis at his feet. Thirds-coach-extraordinaire Jonathan Greensides returns to the field in full forward, joined by Carlos Urbina, with Anthony Smith, Stan Grech, Sonny Dipietro and Jaxson Penny all starting high up half-forward. Beginning the match on the bench is Joe Caldow, Jonathan Bradley, Niles Sheridan, Sean Nathan, David Cowell, and finally, Greg Rollo-Walker, who could probably win the medal for the longest amount of time at the club without playing a game, makes his debut in the blue and blue. 

This weekend gives the Emmaus St Leo’s Thirds team the perfect opportunity to get back on the winner’s list as they face a team who can’t take a trick. Before you return to Bennettswood Reserve to watch the reserves and seniors, get down to Elsternwick Park and watch the Thirds kickstart the Animals’ day! First bounce is at 9:20am. 

Ressies look to nab top spot with Falcons visit

It’s business as usual for the Emmaus St Leo’s reserves who will take some impressive form into their round six match against Albert Park at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday. The seniors face a similar situation, while the Thirds begin the day at Elsternwick Park, against an Elsternwick side searching for their first win of the season. For the women’s team, their foray into Division 4 starts off with a well-deserved bye.

You can do nothing but laud the Emmaus St Leo’s reserves team, whose showing against previously-top-of-the-table Richmond Central should have Albert Park wary. A couple of fantastic performances from some Animals goalkickers set the scene for the day as the Snakes struggled to find a way from the very start. To then have ten goals to four piled on in the second half was the final nail in the coffin. The Falcons will have more than just goals to worry about though when they take the field on Saturday at Bennettswood Reserve, searching for redemption after five consecutive losses, the last one against North Brunswick by 52 points.

In selection news, there’s been a few changes from the team who took apart Richmond Central as captain Nic Glanville misses round 6 due to injury, Isaac Waite makes his seniors debut, and Mitchell Burrows returns from injury to make his reserves debut. James Rippon begins the game at fullback with Fraser Walker and Cam Gardner providing support, as Tom Wales, Cam Price and Tom Elliott start at halfback. Connor Leevers and Flynn Normand are to run the wings, while inside, Guy Donovan, Jack Gibbons and Adam Bullivant will be at Ben Severin’s feet. Fresh off his 5-goal haul and subsequent donation to the Animals’ National Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser, Anthony Smith retains his position deep in the forward line, joined by fellow goalkicking dynamo Dan Quattro. Matt Price, Tom McBride, Luke Foley and Steve Jones will all have opportunities to score majors as they start forward of the ball. Starting on the bench is Burrows, Noah Skiller, Jackson Campbell and Harrison McConnell. 

After knocking an unbeaten Richmond Central off their perch, Emmaus St Leo’s reserves will be looking to take top spot on the ladder this weekend when Albert Park comes to the zoo. A win will no doubt be what the Animals are after, but a big win wouldn’t hurt their percentage either. First bounce is at 11:40am, get down to Bennettswood Reserve and cheer on those in the blue and blue!

Seniors look to strengthen top 4 spot

The Emmaus St Leo’s senior men are hoping to get their fourth win of the season when they welcome a down-but-not-quite-out Albert Park outfit who are looking to get their first four points of 2021 to Bennettswood Reserve. It’s a similar story for the reserves who take on the Falcons’ twos also searching for a win. The Thirds begin the day for the Animals as they face a winless Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park, while the women’s team start their new journey off in Division 4 with a bye. 

Emmaus St Leo’s come into this game fresh off a 41-point win against Richmond Central that has seen them into the top four at the end of round 5. It was arguably a fantastic return-to-form game for the Animals as they broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one after heading into the main break two points down. Defensively, they stood up incredibly well in the second half, limiting the Snakes to just 1.5 in two whole quarters of football, while simultaneously adding 7.12 to their own side of the scoreboard. Albert Park will be hoping to take a top-four scalp to begin their winning ways for season 2021 as they look to rebound after North Brunswick smashed them by 95 points.

Head-to-head, Albert Park spent 2019 in Division 4, while the Animals were competing very well in Division 3. It remains relatively similar this year despite the Falcons’ promotion as they sit on the bottom of the ladder, while Emmaus St Leo’s sits in the 4 one game clear. 

At the selection table this week, five changes have been made to the team who took on Richmond Central. Jesse Collins makes his return from injury, flanking Sam Argus who starts at fullback, while Zac Kearns takes the other side. Ben Collins and Joden Crothers are at halfback, either side of a returning Baxter Newbegin. The Animals midfield is going to hard to beat, as Tom Clarke takes ruck duties with Ethan Phillips, Hugh Schaeche and Nathan Bird at his feet, and Kieran Mair and Matt Hill will run the wings. Emerson Lemkau will join Dan Hill deep in the attacking 50 as Hill hopes to make it two consecutive weeks with multiple goals on the board, with Lawrence Virgo also making his return from injury to join Jacob Anthony, Harry Davis and seniors-debutant Isaac Waite in the forward line. Starting on the bench, Michael Davis comes back into the side, with Callum Dickinson, Jacob Glare and Sam Barrah beside him. 

This weekend marks the second week in a row that the Animals get to play at home which will no doubt play its part. Ideally, this game provides a massive opportunity for Emmaus St Leo’s to boost their ladder percentage which will continue to prove its importance the deeper they go into the season. Get down to Bennettswood Reserve and support your favourite Animals! All the action begins at 11:40am as the reserves take the field, before the seniors follow at 2pm.

House wins as Animals women go down in Pink

In the wise words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad, and that’s what Emmaus St Leo’s delivered at Bennettswood Reserve on Saturday, as all three home teams ran out in pink jerseys to celebrate the sixth annual Mother’s Day ladies luncheon to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Elsewhere, the Thirds put up a fight against the Monash Blues but ultimately fell short by 64 points. The reserves humbled an unbeaten Richmond Central side, while the Animals seniors systematically dismantled the Snakes’ seniors to see themselves into the top four at the end of round five. But it was the women’s team who kicked off proceedings with their traditional early morning start as they took the field against Power House, losing by 65 points. 

Slow starts could well and truly be trademarked by the Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team as it took just the first centre bounce tap down from Power House’s ruck, then two clean positions before they kicked the first goal of the game, much to the chagrin of, well, everybody else. The visitors went into the first break 21 points up, as Animals Head Coach Roy Fenton gave his charges an arguably-deserved quarter time spray for the second week in a row. It worked, just slightly, as Power House added three more goals to head into half time 42-0, but there were whisperings of promise by the Animals. 

The third quarter was their best, limiting Power House to just one goal and one point as the ball spent the majority of term in the Animals’ forward half, resulting in four behinds for their efforts. Emma Johnson was on the receiving end of a free kick, which gifted her a set shot right in front of goal. But in what is fast becoming an if-you-don’t-laugh-you’ll-cry situation, missed to the left, thus inducting her into the metaphorical Shankers Anonymous of 2021, joining the likes of fellow teammates Ash Morley and Shannon Harris, as well as Richmond forward Tom Lynch. In the final term, Power House kicked another three majors to take the game 0.4.4 to 10.9.69. 

Vic Holt was, as is clearly becoming the usual, named best-on for the Animals, with Bridget Crowe, Dee Burden, Sam Hogarth, Emma Johnson and Molly Tancred all riding shotgun and getting the rewards for their efforts on the field. 

The Animals women’s team have this weekend off, as the VAFA-restructuring of the women’s divisions has not only seen Emmaus St Leo’s out of Division 3 and into Division 4, but with a bye to begin their next phase of the year. The following week they travel to Pitcher Park to face Parkside. All three men’s teams will be still donning the blue and blue on Saturday though, as the reserves and seniors take on two winless Albert Park teams at home, while the Thirds face Elsternwick at Elsternwick Park. Even though your favourite Animal mightn’t be playing this weekend, get down to Bennettswood Reserve at the very least, and cheer on the men!

Women's coaches see positive future after Division change

After a rough start for the youthful Emmaus St. Leo’s OCFC women’s side, the VAFA have decided to regrade the side to Division 4 for the rest of the 2021 season.

The decision comes after a lamentable 0-5 start to the season for the Animals despite their best efforts, including a round 3 loss by a mere 13 points after kicking 7 behinds in the game.

The largely new and inexperienced side have made impressive strides from week to week, with improvement shown in multiple areas of the ground, however large turnover and a host of players only just beginning their footballing journeys have seen results not match the output.

The move has left Senior Coach Roy Fenton excited for a fresh set of opponents for the rest of the season.

”A new challenge against teams in a similar situation will be the best thing for this side going forward.”

Assistant Coach Geoff Koop shared the enthusiasm for the new division, whilst also praising the resilience of the side.

”They’ve seen some tough games early, and that’s a brutal introduction to league footy. Credit to the girls though they’ve kept their heads up and the effort has been there in every match to change the outcomes and show some promise.”

Koop added, “If we can work on some things on the track, and see the output actually breed some results on the field, then it will be all worth and will be climbing the ladder soon enough.”

A revised draw sees the Animals Women now have a bye this weekend, before travelling to Pitcher Park to face Parkside in their debut year the following week.

”This is a special group, the best we’ve had go through the club on the Women’s side, and Feno and I have the utmost confidence their going to take this new opportunity and absolutely sprint away with it.” said Koop, adding “There’s some good players now, and there’s some players that will become great players, this gives them a better opportunity to get there.”