Wattle Park makes impressive 4-0 start to the season

Wattle Park has made a resounding start to the VAFA season with four straight wins. Coach Glenn Hopkins on his side’s form and the players making an impact. It’s in our VAFA Division wrap.

Wattle Park picked up its fourth straight win.

Wattle Park coach Glenn Hopkins can’t be more excited to have seen his changes start to come into effect.

The Animals sit top of the VAFA Division 3 ladder after recording a 14-point win over Richmond Central on Saturday in a battle between two sides who look destined to finish towards the pointy end of the ladder.

After being relegated from Division 2 at the end of last season, Hopkins and his coaching staff went about finding ways to get the best out of the playing group.

And it’s working wonders after an unbeaten start to the year.

“We’ve just gone and simplified the game plan,” Hopkins said on Monday.

“We’re looking to run the ball more and move the footy a lot quicker. Previously we’ve been a low scoring side and we’re aiming to put bigger scores on the board.”

Tom Ferguson was one of the benefactors of quicker ball movement in the win over the highly fancied Richmond Central after booting five goals, including four in the first quarter.

New midfielder Tom Major had his best performance of the season in another impressive display.

“We always pride ourselves on what we can do with the contested side of the game,” Hopkins said.

“Once we got it to the outside, we were able to create plenty of opportunities for the forwards.

“It’s only a month in and our aim is to try and play more consistent footy.”
Hopkins praised the performances of defenders Sean Drummond, Zac Durrant and Mitch Lamb in defence.

“They stood up under some good pressure,’ he said.

POWER HOUSE SHOW THEIR CLASS

In its toughest test of the season so far, Power House produced a 33-point win over Box Hill North, overcoming a slow start to take the four points away from home. Mitchell Newman returned to the side with a best on ground display while Sean Scotland and Jack Taylor-Evans kicked three goals apiece.

YOUNG GUN FILLS HIS BOOTS

New La Trobe University youngster Indy Williamson enjoyed a fine day in front of goal, booting nine in a big win over Eley Park. He has joined the club from Kyneton for his first season of senior footy and now has 12 goals for the year.

THE GAP FORMING

A big gap has already formed in the race for Division 1 finals. Oakleigh sit in fifth at 3-1 while sixth place UHS-VU are 1-3 after just four rounds. Given the start to the season we’ve seen, is the top-four race already down to five?

Ormond won a thriller. Photo: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

ORMOND WINS A THRILLER

In one of the most anticipated games of the season so far, Ormond prevailed by 13 points against Old Peninsula. Billed as a clash between two Division 1 finals contenders, Ormond kicked four goals to two in the final term to be the difference. The Pirates still weren’t able to get the job done despite nine goals from star Bailey Payze. At the other end, Ethan Hanley booted five goals in his first game for the season.

FINAL QUARTER BLITZ HAS UHS-VU ON THE BOARD

It’s been a rough start to the season but UHS-VU has finally tasted victory after getting the better of Brunswick by 24 points. The Vultures booted five goals to none in the final stanza to pick up a critical win. James Healey starred in a best on ground display while Fraser Campbell and Nick Wallace also impressed.

UNICORNS MAKE A STATEMENT

MHSOB has secured its biggest win of the season so far with a three-point victory over the previously unbeaten St Mary’s Salesian. Duncan Clarke, Brayden Swenson and Zachary Smooker were the leading performers as they held off a fast finishing home side.

KEEP AN EYE ON HALL

Jack Hall is a name to keep an eye on in the Division goalkicking race. The Old Yarra Cobras man has booted 15 goals so far this season and hasn’t kicked any less than three in any one game. He booted 38 the last time the Cobras were in Division 2. His tally this season is what he booted in Division 1 in 2024.