ROUND #9 Game Report: Hamilton Wildcats (3-5) v Toronto Dingos (3-5), at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON.
This past weekend in Hamilton, the (3-5) Wildcats played host to the (3-5) Toronto Dingos. Over the last 10+ seasons, the Dingos have definitely had the 'Cats number, but recently this rivalry has become quite the interesting one as both teams play a very similar brand of hard-hitting footy and been challenging eachother for a Finals spot consistently since 2008. Heading into their Round #9 match-up versus the always tough Toronto Dingos, the Wildcats were the owners of a 2 game winning streak and were looking to add a thrid straight notch to the win column in front of their hometown supporters. Earlier in the week, the forecast was calling for thundershowers all morning long, but when both Clubs arrived at Mohawk Sports Park Saturday morning, only sunshine and 100% humidity greeted the players.
Hamilton took control of the footy right from the opening bounce, moving the ball well from the guts into their forward line, but it was a veteran player who's missed a lot of time so far in 2012 that got the 'Cats on the board early. The imposing 6'7" frame of Paul "Buncle" Lawson was definitely a sight for sore eyes, and made for a great target all game long at full forward, taking a high kick from the wing on a strong lead and converting to put Hamilton ahead. The visiting Dingos bounced back with 2 majors of their own shortly after, but that didn't completely knock the wind of the the Wildcats' sails, as 2012 Leading Kicker Brendan Major presented himself well directly in front of the Dingos goal for the 'Cats second "sausage roll" on the day. After a couple positional changes by the Dingos, Hamilton's scoring chances were limited for the remainder of the 1st quarter, while the "red and black" added another goal of their own to go along with 6 behinds. At the end of the first 20mins, the Dingos held onto a slim 3.6.24 to 2.2.14 lead over the Steeltown boys.
As what has became an unwelcome habit since the 2011 season, the Wildcats tend to have one quarter every game where as so kindly coined by Club veteran justin Johns, "heads explode" by trying to get a little too fancy with the footy at inopportune times, which usually puts the Club behind the preverbial "8 ball" on the scoreboard. Fortunately, this is a trait the 'Cats have been able to avoid over the last 2-3 weeks, and they were hoping that the first 20mins v the Dingos wouldn't hinder them from taking the 4 points on this day. Well, it didn't. From the start of the 2nd quarter straight through to the final siren, the Wildcats took control all over the ground, turning their missed opportunies from the first quarter into big points over the last 60mins. The 'Catters have been blessed over the last month or so, with picking up several athletic Canadian recruits such as Curtis Sherwood, Alex Mazer, and 1st gamer v the Dingos, Mike Hertzenrater. It has been great to see these rookies playing such big roles around the oval over the last of weeks, and it was more of the same this past weekend against Toronto, as Curt, "Maze" & Mike played well and showed the poise of seasoned vets rather than 1st year players with less than 5 games of competitive footy under their belts.
The Wildcats eventually ran out winners v the Dingos on the day 13.7.85 to 7.9.51, leap-frogging their Toronto rivals in the process, and moving from 1 spot outside of the Top 6 to 5th on the OAFL Ladder and currently holding onto a Finals spot. This past weekend's game was definitely a true team effort from opening bounce to final siren, with several players contributing in a number of different roles all over the oval. Kudos to Paul Lawson on a fantastic return to action (2 goals), Simon "Simmo" O'Donnell who again played lights-out on the wing for the 'Cats, Andy "Neon" Leon & Ed "Das Boot" DeBruijn who combined to win at least 85% of the taps in the ruck against an extremely viable opponent, and the backline of Eben "Wolverine" Schaeffer, Justin "OMJ" Johns, Terry "Aboo" Brake, C. Sherwood & Justin Settle who held the high scoring offense of the Dingos to only 7 goals on the day. Great job by all who threw on the "yellow & black"!!!
The (4-5) Hamilton Wildcats will now take a modest 3 game win streak into their 2nd last home game of 2012, against an extremely experienced (1-8) Toronto Eagles Club this coming weekend at Mohawk Sports Park. Despite their record this season, the Eagles have only lost tiwce to the Wildcats over the last 15years, with the 1st loss coming in 2011 and Round #1 this season. This is not a game that Hamilton can or will take lightly, but will definitely be pulling out all the stops in hopes of winning their 4th straight and continuing to secure a Finals birth this season.
HAMILTON WILDCATS 13.7.85 def. TORONTO DINGOS 7.9.51
HAMILTON GOALS: B. Major (3), S. O'Donnell (2), D. Crouch (2), P. Lawson (2), D. DiSanto (2), C. Lowry (1), J. MacDonald (1)
HAMILTON BEST: S. O'Donnell (BOG), D. Choi (Hardhat Award), C. Sherwood, B. Major, A. Leon
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123772765&c=1-7394-110437-209606-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, July 21st/12, (4-5) Hamilton Wildcats v (1-8) Toronto Eagles at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON. Game starts @ 11AM!!! (PLAYERS: PLEASE be dressed & ready to warm-up NO LATER than 10AM). MAP: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&sID=160735
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C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 18/07/2012 00:57