Coming off a big win in Round #3 v the 2010 defending OAFL Premieres, Central Blues, the Wildcats will now have the very tough test of facing the High Park Demons who currently sit atop the OAFL ladder. High Park have looked the goods so far this season, and with several new Aussie "imports" to compliment many of their talented Canadians, the Wildcats will definitely have to bring their "A" game if they are to shutdown the high scoring offense of the Dees. After a huge team win last week for the 'Catters, emotions and confidence is running high in the Den, and Hamilton look to continue their winning ways versus the currently unbeated Demons in Round #4.
Round #4: HAMILTON WILDCATS (2-1) v HIGH PARK DEMONS (3-0)
Venue: Margaret Greene Park, Guelph, 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), High Park Demons (2-12) - Wildcats won '10 season series (1-0)
Key Players: Hamilton - many new Canadian recruits have helped in both Wildcat wins this season, and will look to do the same vs the Demons. 1st year players, Alex Pawliwec, Drew Dupras, Justin Hyde, Gary "MCG" Hesmer and Jeremy Taylor all play big roles across the oval for the 'Catters. High Park - With many new imports in Demonland this season, we don't know much about the new faces, but many of the Clubs veterans, the likes of ruckman Dale Simnett, winger Alex Hedrix, backmen Ash martin & Chris Symonds will make life difficult on the Wildcats along side the new talent.
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 4. Strong recruiting over the pff-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.
DEMONS Strengths: Boasting one of the best ruckman in the OAFL for years, the Dees look to have gotten even better in the guts, adding several talented Aussie imports as well as the improving skills of many of their young Canucks over the off-season. Speed and toughness have always been present in Demonland, but getting numbers to the oval week after week has been the biggest thorn in their side in seasons past...and it's never been their skill that's let them down, it was a lack of interchange or enough players to dress a full compliment of 18-24 players. That doesn't look to be a problem in 2011, and it's already started to show in the standings, as the Demons currently sit atop the OAFL ladder (3-0), as well as holding on to the highest GF totals in the league thanks to OAFL leading goal kicker Hayden Walter (19 in 3 games). Returning veteran players like Rob "RV" Vallance and Irishman Paul Loughnane have also been massive additions for the "red & blue", as their skill and leadership will definitely be keys to the Club's success in '11.
Round #4 Prediction: Hamilton Wildcats def. High Park Demons 80-76
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 20/09/2011 22:35