ROUND #4 Game Report: Hamilton Wildcats (7-2) v High Park Demons (8-1), at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (at Humber College South), Toronto, ON. This game was played after ROUND #10, as a "make-up game" since this game was rescheduled from earlier in the year.
After their Round 4 game from earlier this year was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, plus the injury to one of the Hamilton players prior to the start of that game, the (8-1) High Park Demons played host to the (7-2) Hamilton Wildcats at Colonel Samuel Smith Park at Humber College South in Toronto on a very rare thursday evening tilt.
As both Clubs rolled up to the ground at Humber College South, it was eveident that Hamilton would really have to get the most out of all in attendance; as the late game time and venue made it difficult for the Wildcats to secure a full list, as well as having to dress several players recovering from various injuries who weren't planning on playing this match-up. Thanks to a few last minute phone calls/BBM's, several guys were able to re-arrange their work schedule and Hamilton even got one of their long time vets (Reuben Sculthorp) to pull on a jumper for the first time in a couple seasons to help give the 'Cats at least 1 reserve. The Demons on the other hand, had a bit of home field advantage with the game being held in Toronto, and had 24+ guys on hand ready for what looked to definitely be a potential Finals match-up.
From the opening bounce, it was evident this game was going to be a very hard hitting battle on both sides of the footy, and Hamilton jumped out of the blocks on a quick passage of play from the center clearence to put up the first major of the game. Hamilton's backline stood strong in the first frame, and rebounded well, as the 'Cats kicked their 2nd unanswered goal within the first 5mins of the quarter and seemed to have won the momentum early on. The hometown Demons, down 2 goals early, regrouped and started winning the majority of the taps in the center, clearing well and kicking true to strong leading targets in their forward line. After falling behind early, the Demons battled back, evening the score 2.2.14 to 2.2.14 as the quarter came to an end. There was much more of the same in the 2nd, as both Clubs battled hard for every possession, and equalled eachother at 9 scoring chances heading into the half; but High Park had the better percentage, kicking 6.3 to Hamilton's 3.6. At the end of 40mins, Demons led Hamilton by 15 points, 8.5.53 to 5.8.38
As the Clubs traded scoring chances to start the 3rd frame, both backlines began to tighten the screws so to speak, turning away scoring chance after scoring chance and clearing their respective 50's well. High Park's Hayden Walters was fantastic on the day (kicking 5 goals), and if not for the fantastic Hamilton tag-team of Michael Visser & Justin Johns, this game would have been well out of reach before halftime. Great tagging and punching from behind all day by the Wildcat defenders, but much credit should be given to the accurate kicking of the Demons forwards, as they were not given very many good angles to kick from or many uncontested marks all game long.
Despite a valiant effort from the Wildcats in the last 6mins of the 4th quarter, adding 3 goals as time ticked away, the Demons defenders had enough left in the tank to hold off the visitors, eventually running out winners on the day by a score of 12.8.79 to 8.13.61. Despite the loss, all the Hamilton players in attendance should be very proud of their efforts against one of the best teams in our comp this season. There were several fantastic individual performances on the day, as half back flanker Steve "Sass" Assel played extremely well in the back half of the oval, while hard nuts Luke Lombardini, Brendan Major & Brett "Nuts" Aiken worked tirelessly all game long. Second year ruckman, Ed "Das Boot" Debruin, an injured Derek "Who needs 2 healthy wrists anyways" Rutten, Mike "OMT" Travers, R. Sculthorp and rookie Seam "Shrek" DiRago all had fabulous games, playing hard and really stepping-up their game on a night the 'Cats needed big performances all across the ground. Kudos to all who wore the "yellow & black" on the day, as we played like a proud team, and can definitely walk off the ground with our heads held high and know that everything was left on the oval against the Dees.
Both Clubs will now face off again in 1 week's time, but on Hamilton's home turf at Mohawk Sports Park. With the win, the Demons hold on to a 2 game lead in 2nd place over the Wildcats, but a win at home in Round #11 could definitely make things very interesting as the OAFL Finals series is now only 1 month away!!!
HIGH PARK DEMONS 12.7.79 def. HAMILTON WILDCATS 8.13.61
HAMILTON GOALS: L. Lombardini (2), C. Thompson (2), M. Visser (2), B. Aiken (1), B. Major (1)
HAMILTON BEST: B. Aiken (BOG), S. DiRago (Hard Hat Award), J. Johns, L. Lombardini, S. Assel, B. Major *for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123455990&c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, August 6th/11, (7-3) Hamilton Wildcats v (9-1) High Park Demons at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON; starting @ 11AM. 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 14/10/2011 02:40