Welcome footy heads! With the majority of round five over, here is my partial review of the round.
Some decent footy was played this weekend in both the men’s and women’s divisions and with the Canada Day long weekend giving everyone a nice little break, I thought’s I leave my review a little later this week. Makes the job easy come next week when there is just one result to post. I know you're all waiting in anticipation!
Now, now.. What an interesting week we had last week. And now so many out there think they know who I am… Interesting, who would have thought there are so many sleuths in the league?
Also, apparently yours truly created some controversy around the league. O, oh!.. The Old Phantom seems to have rubbed a few people the wrong way with my weekly posts and twitter banter. Considering all the "advise" I've received, I might hand out some of my own!
My advice to you would be to delve into your own club, as most of my information comes from club representatives and most of the negative stuff is brought to my attention by your own mates! Something to think about why you’re having a whinge to Mr Popularity aka Marty Walter.
Anyway there are always the party poopers and complainers, sorry to anyone offended.. Now on to this week’s review!
Toronto Dingos 8.9 57 def by Toronto Rebels 11.7.73
This was picked by many as being the match of the round, with second versus third on the ladder. For me though, it was more a way to gauge who was a contender and who was a pretender. Can't say I got an answer though.
Both would enter the match with a few key players missing. For the Rebels it was some of their keys in the backline and Bodnar up forward. While for the Dingos it was Big Wade and ‘Mr Journo’ Robbo. It wasn’t the best quality of footy, but both side were trying hard to get the win and 4 points!
The Rebels, who were dismal in Round 4, seemed to pick up their game. They played better than average footy and lead every quarter to take the points. They were helped up forward by ‘big bustling’ Morgs, who bagged 5 goals and was sporting one of the worst haircuts seen in the league to date.
For the Dingos it was their first ‘official’ loss (though a draw could possibly be considered a loss) and not even ‘Veteran’ Stewy could get his side over the line.
An interesting note though. If you happened to be searching for a match report while waiting for the Phantom Review, you would have come upon one that was quite baffling. Apparently one of these teams felt they totally dominated the game, yet said team was never actually in front at the end of any quarter. Hmmm.. Yeah right..
Phantom still zero on Friday nights..
Central Blues 2.7.19 def by Broadview Hawks 11.10.76
This was one of those games that was a shoo in on paper, yet in the back of my head I was hoping for an upset. And with ‘I’m shorter than a 5th grader’ Willsy back for the Blues anything was possible. Well maybe.
Unfortunately they were missing one of their other quality players, The Doc. The game was tight in the first quarter until ‘Dunking Dullard’ kicked two goals to take control. He would eventually finish with 5 for the match.
The Blues fought hard around the ground for the entire match, and at times seemed to have a little control of the game. The difference in the two sides though, was the Hawks skills and their ability to convert goals.
Whereas the Blues seemed to break down once in goal scoring range, they just have no one up front to kick any goals (As you can tell by the final score).
The Hawks run from the midfield was pretty impressive, as their Aussie contingent was all over the
‘Blue Baggers’ with Mitchell strong off half back. ‘Little, big man’ Willsy was flashy in patches, but lacked the support to really affect the score board. He’s shoulders must really be hurting this early in the season having to carry this side, possibly even getting shorter?
Phantom all over this one 1 from 2
Hamilton Wildcats 1.5.11 def by Etobicoke Kangaroos 18.7.115
Not too much to write about this one, which is interesting considering I went all the way there and only really saw one side play. Going into this game most realists wouldn’t have given the Cats much of a chance.
Especially with how disappointing their season has been going. In saying that, they do always put up and fight! So I would have never expected a 104 point belting by the equally disappointing Roos. I would have thought more Roos would have come out of hiding with their skiing equipment, other than all their front running Aussies, with an easy victory in their sights.
This one started as expected with the Roos jumping out of the blocks, and had the game all but sealed in the first quarter kicking 7 to 1-1. There’s not too much to say about the Cats, as their season is going from bad to worse.
For the Roos, ‘Check out my sneakers’ Harris was the next member to join the ‘I kicked a bag against the Cats’ club with ten goals to his name. It’s clear he has cemented himself as the key to any Roos success this year.
For the Cats, they have now had 36 goals kicked against them in the last 3 rounds by 3 people. Some work on defence and their backline should be on the cards from now on.
You could say the Roo’s played their best footy for the year and now have two wins in a row. But you really can’t take too much from it as they were playing against a Cat’s side who is already rebuilding for the 2014 season.
Another one for the Phantom 2 out of 3
Toronto Eagles 7.7.49 def High Park Demons 5.7.37
The final game of the day was one that could have gone either way. It was one of those game that makes you wonder what the outcome might have been like if the weather was better, or if it decided to rain again in the last quarter.
With rain slamming down before the game, the first quarter was very evenly matched as both sides worked hard to control a very slippery footy. Early on the game was certainly tough to watch with skill errors in abundance, both teams were working hard all over the ground for possession yet not really accomplishing anything. When blokes like Martin and Larkins are getting touches, you know your teams struggling a bit.
The Dee’s had control of the match, and the lead basically all day up until the last half of the 4th quarter. And then to put it bluntly, they choked. For me, they just rely too heavily on their Aussies to do all the work far too often. Maybe they should train with their women more often so they see how winners do it? Get a bit of swagger about them.
For the Eagles nobody really stood out and it looks like ‘Mr 19’ was either injured, learnt to hand pass, or just had an off day. All in all it was a lucky win, in that they were lucky they were playing a side who were equally bad on the day. Coaching for the Eagles is an issue and every week I wonder if it’s their weakness, time will tell in that regard.
.500 for the Phantom so far this week, finishing with 2 out of 4!
Guelph Gargoyles 9.7.61 def Ottawa Swans 8.10.58
Well this one looked like it was an all day arm wrestle with Guelph taking an undermanned side up to the Nations Capital for the annual Canada Day Weekend Clash! Maybe it was due to having some guys out to play on Monday for Robbo's Ontario version of Northwind? I am not sure, but the fact that Guelph went with 17 guys and still managed to win shows they still are a class act even when undermanned.
Roffey was back for the Swans kicking 4 goals and was well supported by Strom and Beardmore who both kicked a couple.
Guelph was lead by their all most guaranteed 2013 Club Best and Fairest and Goal Kicking Award Winner Matt Dean with 3 goals. Kerm Matthews pitched in with 3 as well for his side who snuck over the line by 3 points.
Phantom finished 3 from 5 although the margin a little off on this one!
WOMEN
High Park Demons 13.16.94 def Central Blues 1.1.7
Well it seems the Demons can do no wrong so far this season, 5 rounds in and still undefeated. How long since they lost a game anyway?
The Blues have been less than stellar this year, being at the end of some major beatings. For the team who pioneered women’s footy here in Ontario things are looking a little gloomy. While the Dees are on the other end of the spectrum and flying high!
After their first encounter, many wouldn’t have given the Blues a chance and for good reason. They just haven’t been that competitive force they have been over the years. This game was very one sided with the Dees dominating all around the ground in trying conditions.
Ever determined, the low scoring Blues did compete with their opponents. Through all their efforts, only managed one goal for the match, which was kicked by Ashley Grant. Hopefully they get climb out of this funk and start challenging teams again this season.
For the Dees, Erin Loughnane was in fine form kicking 5 as well as 3 other multiple goal kickers in Walshe, Czyzo and McNulty. Valaitis was also very strong again and got a lot of the football for her side.
Phantom 1 from 1 for the women’s!
Hamilton Wildcats 2.4.16 def by Etobicoke Kangaroos 5.11.41
On to the second women’s match of the day and this was definitely going to be an interesting contest. Both these sides are potentially threats to the undefeated Demons and after their performances the past few weeks, I think the Cats may have had this one chalked in as a win! Especially considering they were playing the Roos at home. But without Kendra Heil it was going to be a challenge.
Hamilton would jump out to and early lead and be in front at the end of the first and second quarters. Unfortunately their second half let them down big time, as they could only add 1 point to their score.
The Roos were full of fight as they clawed their way back into the match after the main break with some brilliant play by the Amaral sisters and great goal kicking by Quinn. For the Cat’s Kwan was lively, kicking their only 2 goals for the game.
The Lady Roos victory gives the women’s division a spark and it’s looking like we are in for some interesting footy over the next month.
So three quarters of the round are done and dusted, with one more game to go. Be sure to check in early next week to see my mini write up for the conclusion of the round. Until then you can keep up to date via my Twitter @FootyPhantom. Also, don’t forget to get yourself out to the Canada Day Footy carnival on Monday (July 1st) to see the Northwind battle the combines Aussie/Canada team. Should be a great day of footy!
Enjoy the long weekend and Happy Canada Day
The Ghost Who Handballs!
Last Modified on 06/07/2013 04:41