Coming off a big win in Round #3 v the 2010 defending OAFL Premieres, Central Blues, and the cancellation of their Round #4 match-up against the High Park Demons due to severe thunderstorms; Hamilton will now have the extremely tough task of battling the (3-0) Toronto Eagles this coming weekend at Mohawk Sports Park. The Eagles have looked great so far this season, but with many new faces making big contributions for the Wildcats all over the oval, this could be the game of the Round in the OAFL!!! This weekend's game will be Hamilton's first home game of the 2011 season, so let's make sure that we get a massive showing as I know the boys will definitely appreciate all the support from the sidelines. The Hamilton Wildcats AFC will also be running a BBQ during the game, so please remember to bring cash along to donate towards the Club and enjoy some cold drinks and tasty burgers!!!
Round #5: HAMILTON WILDCATS (2-1) v TORONTO EAGLES (3-0)
Venue: Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON.
Map/Directions: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-0&sID=160735
2010 OAFL Record: Hamilton Wildcats (4-9), Toronto Eagles (14-0) - Eagles won '10 season series (2-0)
Key Players: Hamilton - many new Canadian recruits have helped in both Wildcat wins this season, and will look to do the same vs the Eagles. 1st year players, Alex Pawliwec (Hard Hat Award for Round #3), Drew Dupras, Justin Hyde, Gary "MCG" Hesmer and Jeremy Taylor all play big roles across the oval for the 'Catters. Toronto - A side full of talented Australians and Canadians, with a very balanced attack from backline to their forwards. Keys to focus on will be talls up front, Aaron "Azza" Falcioni, Oliver Hayward and Aussie Mark "MP" Peterson.
HAMILTON Strengths: Overall team depth and a very strong backline have kept the Wildcats in each game this season, as well as the hardness of rotating rovers Brett Aiken, Luke Lombardini, Tim Wilson and Kris McKillop. Ruckmen Paul Lawson and Ed DeBruin have done well against all opponents so far this season, winning the ball in the taps more often than not. Hamilton looks for the return of several key players that have been missing over the last couple of weeks, with Daniel "Boo" Crouch and Michael Visser looking to come back for Round 5. Strong recruiting over the off-season has blessed the Hamilton boys with several talented Canadian additions, all playing big roles for the Club in '11. Heart & fight for the footy have always been strengths for the 'Cats, but their forward will need to start converting all the hard ball gets by their mid-fielders to push this Club into the Finals.
EAGLES Strengths: Overall team depth, from fullback straight up hte spine to their full forward & across the oval. Massive amounts of experience from many of their starting 18, as well as few new additions with speed. The Eagles aree a much bigger team than the Wildcats, but some signs of age and lack of fitness could let them down in key positions around the ground. Always a very tough team to match-up against, and they definitely have Hamiltons' number, having not lost to the Wildcats in over 12 seasons.
Round #5 Prediction: Hamilton Wildcats def. Toronto Eagles by 1 goal
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 09/06/2011 00:09