Well footy heads, it was yet another interesting round of footy in Ontario as we are now coming towards the end of the Home and Away season.
There are still three places in the Top 6 up for grabs with only the Hawks, Dingos and Eagles guaranteed September action!
While some teams appear to be looking forward to the end, a few others are looking for a premiership. Round 11 was an interesting one and here is my review.
Broadview Hawks 14.7 (91) def Etobicoke Kangaroos 8.6 (54)
The Hawks made light work of the Roos on Saturday with a six goals to none first quarter.
The Roos did fight out the remainder of the game in true Roos fashion, but to be honest they were never really a chance as the Etobicoke boys just struggled in the middle.
It’s hard enough giving your opposition such a huge lead but to be without Hogan and Harris for the second week in a row it makes it that much harder. Sitting in 9th now, their finals hopes a all but gon at this stage.
What a difference Dullard makes for the Hawks. They got themselves back on track after their shock loss to the Blues last week. They once again look like the team that will be favorites come finals and will a full team are strong around ground.
Dullard and Mitchell were strong for the Hawks while Nick Shuttleworth added another 7 goals to his yearly tally and was by far the best on ground for his side.
Phantom Prediction 1-1 in Round 11
Central Blues 15.7 (97) def Toronto Eagles 4.5 (29)
With a finals berth on the line, the Blues were ruthless with the undermanned Eagles and played a full side, giving them a pretty solid advantage right from the first bounce.
The Blues have really hit some form over the past few weeks and have now given themselves a chance to be a part of September action. Whittington was solid on the Hamburglar all day and the Doc was everywhere as usual. With Shallow kicking 5 and Cinco 3, the Blues have shown in recent weeks that their scoring issues are now in the past!
The Eagles proved why I think they are higher on the ladder than they should be. A tough day for out for the undermanned squad, who struggled in most areas against the Blues with poor coaching. The Hamburglar went missing after another dismal performance and so did the Eagles forwardline after the 3rd quarter.
But the Phantom does give credit where credits due! Minaker was solid for the Eagles all day in a side that was missing 'Sauce', Koens and the new Phantom - Runnalls who (I’ve just heard) is rumoured to have returned back to Australia.
Phantom Predictions 2-2 in Round 11
Ottawa Swans 29.18 (193) def Hamilton Wildcats 2.1 (13)
Wow, this one turned out to be a very one sided affair. The Swannies would have been on the receiving end of a few beatings like this one over the years, but I doubt they've ever won a game by 30 goals!
They were all out in full force on the weekend against the struggling Cats side who I am sure can't wait for the season to end! Kozlowski and Roffey piled on 6 goals and Nathan Strom kicked 5 in an absolute demolition of the Cats in the Nation’s Capital.
Not much to say about the Cat’s here. They only have one more week and then their horrid 2013 season will finally be over.
The Swans now in with a chance of making the finals for the first time, but need a win over the red hot Blues in Round 12 to make it!
Phantom Predictions 3-3 in Round 11 - on fire!!
Toronto Dingos 14.9 (93) def Guelph Gargoyles 4.5 (29)
The Dingos have potentially locked up a ‘Top 2’ spot on Saturday with a resounding win over the Gargoyles, who are really struggling to find some consistency.
Both teams were missing key players on the day but the Dingos defence (which has been one of their weak areas) didn’t have any trouble on the rare occasions they were tested. Big Wade kicked a lazy 5 goals and was well supported by Duggan, Evans and Wells.
The Gargoyles have slipped out of the ‘Top 6’ and after their play on the weekend, don’t really look like they deserve to be there. They were out-matched all over the ground and found it hard to get anywhere near goals. They have a lot of work if they want to make it to September.
The Dingos are looking good coming into the most important part of the year, while the Gargoyles will need to defeat the Roos in Toronto in Round 12 to guarantee their spot!
Phantom Predictions 4-4 in Round 11
High Park Demons 10.9.69 def Toronto Rebels 6.7.43
The Demons kept their finals hopes alive with a sneaky 4 goal win over the Rebels on Sunday.
In what was a close game all day, with only a point the difference at half time and 2 points at 3 quarter time, the Demons ran away with it in the final quarter kicking 5 goals to the Rebels 1.
The Dees were able to have multiple goal kickers in Mitchell, Martin, Quigley and Doggett (an area in which has been a weakness for them over the season) and were well supported but Ireland and Kelly. They are now in the mixed for finals, holding on to 6th spot.
The Rebels looked very ordinary, being out matched in the final quarter and pretty inaccurate up forward. Veteran Bodnar kicked 3 but it appears he had little support with King being held by Kelly.
The Rebels now with 3 losses in a row and looking like the Rebels team of old and with King looking to have suffered an injury they could be in for some more trouble in the final round.
Phantom Predictions 4-5 in Round 11 - still missing that elusive 5 straight.
WOMEN
Etobicoke Kangaroos 5.8.38 def Central Blues 4.4.28
A valiant effort from the Blues ladies on Saturday but unfortunately they couldn’t come away with that elusive first win of the year!
Despite that, they must take some confidence into the fact that they kicked more goals in the one game than the rest of the season combined! Has something changed? Katie Woods kicked 3 of the Blues 4 goals and was well supported by Jen Nicholls, Molly Gamble and Renee Tong.
For the Roos, they locked in 3rd spot with another strong performance and will be looking forward to next week’s game against Hamilton as they prep for finals. Alison Madeley was best on ground while Madison Amaral kicked 2 goals up forward.
Phantom Prediction 1-1 in Women's Division
Hamilton Wildcats 4.10.34 def Ottawa Swans 1.3.9
Big game of footy up in the Capital, with both teams sporting some great numbers at RCR.
The Wildcats really turned it on in what could have been a bigger win if they had kicked straight. Kendra Heil was strong for the Cats as always with 2 goals with Sam Pepper and Jodie Fluit kicking 1 each in what was a solid team performance helping them sewn up 2nd spot.
The Swans had a large squad ready for action and were well represented by Bodashefsky, Constanza and Geci while Dickinson was the lone goal kicker for the home side. The Swans were hoping to give themselves a slight chance to move up the ladder, unfortunately they just couldn’t match it with the Cats.
Phantom Prediction 1-2 in the Women's Division
And there you go! Only one more week to go of the 2013 season and still there are teams fighting for the final three spots. Make sure to head back later this week for my preview of what should be an exciting round of footy!
The Ghost Who Handballs!
Last Modified on 22/08/2013 02:20