The AFL Ontario season is now well underway and while the Phantom was pretty spot on with most winner predictions - the scores were not quite as close as expected!
Hawks Win comes a Game late over the Roos!
Broadview Hawks 6.5.41 def Etobicoke Kangaroos 5.2.32. This one turned out to be closer than the Phantom expected on a windy Friday night match to start the season at Humber South. The Hawks were missing the big voice and tall marking prowess of Nick Shuttleworth up front. But they still managed to find ways to score in the end, although reports from the ground are that the first half was pretty ugly.
Dullard everywhere as expected, but Chippa Harris unimpressive - carrying a few extra pounds early in the season. The Phantom still picked the winner - sitting 1 from 1.. Hawks off to a flying start in 2013 reversing their lose from last year’s grand final!
Demons Run Over a better looking Blues side
High Park Demons 9.6.60 def Central Blues 5.7.37. In my one missed pick of the Div 1 Round, High Park stepped up and showed Central Blues what they're made of in the first of two Division 1 games at Humber South on Saturday morning.
A sloppy game, the Blues were expected to do well but really didn't come to the party. The Doc played well and Vossy Armstrong was solid. Unfortunately Willsy was average - definitely seen better from the short man and Bruce Parker still gets kicks even with that horrible beard. The return of Xavier Quigley for the Demons made a serious impact and the new Canadians, led by Hendy stepped up big time. Matty Mitchell looked good and speedy Nathan Kelly kicked 2 goals.
Demons ran the game out well and had a good win to start the year. Blues looking a better side than they did in 2012. Phantom sitting at 1 from 2 in the picks.
Dingos Easy Over Gargoyles
Toronto Dingos 7.13.55 def Guelph Gargoyles 4.2.26. This one certainly had a bit more of a blowout than expected, but then again Guelph were lacking some forward power, missing Logel and playing coach Kerm Matthews, who was on the side lines for having too much to say to umpires in the 2012 Finals Series.
The Phantom did expect a win from the Dingos first up and looking at the number of scoring shots, it is safe to say the ball probably spent a lot of time in the Dingos forward half. Robbo spent most of the day at full back for Guelph, probably watching the footy go over his head thru the posts. Shaun McKay and James Duggan the best for the Dingos who had 24 dressed in comparison to
Guelph's 20.
Two picks from 3 for the Phantom - Dingos looking very strong early on in 2013!
Rebel Raccoons all over Hamilton in the Hammer!
Toronto Rebels 14.14.98 def Hamilton Wildcats 3.4.22. Well the Phantom heard whispers on the grape vine that Hamilton should not be underestimated in this hit out at Mohawk Park, but the Rebels look to have dominated the game from start to finish.
Justin Johns' return to "The Hammer" appears to have had little impact as the Rebels pounded the scoreboard with 28 scoring shots to seven. Feedback from this game is that the Wildcats have a quality new rookie Ruckman and Jet Li has continued to improve. But with Digits and Settle missing, a few key links in the Hamilton game has left some big holes. Rebel’s veterans Peter Bormann and Kevin Duffy kicked 3 goals each, and the Rebels sit atop of the ladder for the first time this decade, but it is only Round 1 after all!
Phantom with another pick to go 3 from 4 - margin way off prediction
Eagles belt Swans
Toronto Eagles 12.14.86 def Ottawa Swans 3.2.20. The Eagles clearly went into this game with the intention of showing that 2012 is well and truly behind them and did just that.
Phantom expected a much better showing the Swans, who were missing their main goal kicker Darren Roffey. Cameron Dodge and Ronan Shaughnessy were in the best for the Swans and Kozlowski kicked two of their three goals. But it was all the Eagles on the day with Ralph Koens back from injury and new man Clint Runnels playing well. Dimacakos was all over the half back line rebounding time after time making it hard for the Swans to get any forward line penetration. Swannies first of 3 trips to the big city was very disappointing.
Phantom goes to 4 from 5 but again the margin was way off.
WOMENS
Dees Start 2013 with Strong Win Over Blues
High Park Demons 8.9.57 def Central Blues 0.0.0. What can the Phantom say about this one? I really expected that the Blues would do a little better and despite getting tweets that the result didn't represent the effort - it’s hard to see how.
Erin Loughnane kicked 4 goals and as usual dominated the field and shows that missing the end of preseason with a broken wrist doesn't mean much when you're that good. Vera Fernandez had a good game, showing promise and trying hard but the Dees were just too strong.
Phantom moves to 1 from 1 in the Women's Division
Roo Women Jump Past 401 Swans
Etobicoke Kangaroos 6.4.40 def Ottawa Swans 3.1.19. The Roos came out really strong and upset the Phantom's pretty good round of picks this week. While the grape vine told us to beware of the Women’s Roos Team, no one expected them to give the Swanettes such a tough game.
As the Phantom predicted, the Amaral sisters were solid kicking 5 each - younger sister Madison sneaking 3 of them. Sylvie DeBrabandere also stepped up and the Roos unleashed a new Australian recruit, reportedly from Darwin. 2012 Rookie of the Year Emma Dickinson was solid for the Swans, kicking two goals and making the best along with Tara Cools-Lartigue and Meghan Haycock.
Great start to the year for the Roos Women Team - Phantom finishing Round 1 of the Women's Comp 1 from 2.
With round 2 coming quickly, it should be a ripper with the Dingos up against the Roos to kick it off on Friday Night!
Ghost that Handballs!
Last Modified on 04/06/2013 15:21