2011 OAFL Preliminary Final Game Report: (2nd) Hamilton Wildcats v (1st) Etobicoke Kangaroos at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (Humber College South), Toronto, ON.
This past weekend, the Etobicoke Kangaroos played host to the traveling Hamilton Wildcats, in a battle between 1st & 2nd place respectively to open the 2011 OAFL Finals Series. Both Clubs, due to their finish on the ladder during the regular season earned a double chance in the Finals, but Hamilton was looking to shock the 'Roos and the league with a big upset away from home.
Right from the opening bounce it was evident that the 'Roos had different plans, and were not going to let the Wildcats play spoilers after an incredibly successful regular season which saw Etobicoke finish with a superb (13-1) record. All-star 'Roo ruckman Andrew Hogan looked unbeatable in the taps, but 2nd year Wildcat Ed "Das Boot" DeBruijn worked tirelessly to give his team any chance to win as many center clearances he could. Unfortunately for Ed and his coutnerparts in the guts (Brett Aiken, Luke Lombardini, Kris McKillop), the hometown 'Roos were just too polished in the center, continually clearing the middle and pushing the footy upfield with great ease and accuracy. After jumping out to an early 3 goal lead, the Wildcats looked to be gaining some of their own momentum as veteran forward Charles Thompson goaled for the visitors, then was followed-up nicely by 'Cat Captain Aiken who goaled on the run in traffic from a ridiculous angle. At the end of hte 1st frame, the visiting Wildcats trailed the fleet-footed Kangaroos 5.4.34 to 2.0.12, but were hoping some of their late quarter heroics would catch the hosts off guard to start the 2nd.
Again, the quarter started with Etobicoke easily winning the tap and clearing the center square, and the constant pressure seemed to definitely be getting the best of Hamilton's backmen. Despite being one of the best in the league during the regular season, the backline of Justin Johns, Nick DiRago, Eben Schaeffer, Terry Brake, Steve Assel & Mike Travers seemed to have no answers for the much larger and quicker forwards of the 'Roos. Although the 1st quarter seemed to end with a bit of optimism with the 'Cats adding 2 goals before the whistle; the 'Roos took complete control during the 2nd, kicking 5.2 to the Wildcats 0.1, and extending their lead to 53 points heading into the half.
The 3rd & 4th quarters weren't much better for the Wildcats, as Etobicoke continued to use the entire oval with their percise passing and great running support from the center of the ground towards Hamilton's goals. The 'Cats tried to claw their way back into the game late in the 4th, as Wildcat forward Daniel Crouch kicked 2 unanswered goals after some great work in the center by Lombardini & Aiken, but those scores were definitely too little too late, as Etobicoke eventually ran out winners on the day by 92 points (124-32). Etobicoke will now continue to play on their home ground (Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON), as they'll host the Toronto Eagles in their 1st Elimination Match (Saturday, Sept 17th/11), with the winner of this game moving on to play in the 2011 Grand Final, scheduled to be held on Saturday, Sept 24th/11.
Despite the loss, Hamilton still has an opportunity to advance into the 2011 OAFL Grand Final, but must win this coming weekend as the head home to face the High Park Demons at Mohawk Sports Park on Saturday, Sept 17th/11. High Park won their 1st Elimination Final last weekend v the Toronto Dingos, and both Clubs have 1 win versus 1 loss in the season season, with Hamilton winning on home ground but losing to the Demons on the road. Hopefully home field advantage will again see the Wildcats victorious, as they look to earn a spot in their 1st Grand Final match in over 15 seasons. As the 'Dees will have the same opportunity with a win over Hamilton this weekend, both Clubs will definitely be putting everything on the line, as neither team will want their season to end...so make sure that you get to the ground early, tell your friends and get ready to cheer, as this game looks to be a cracker of a match!!!
ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS 18.16.124 def. HAMILTON WILDCATS 5.2.32
HAMILTON GOALS: D. Crouch (2), C. Thompson (1), B. Major (1), B. Aiken (1)
HAMILTON BEST: "No votes collected"
GAME PHOTOS: Courtesy of Rob Colburn
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=122931003&c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&pool=1001
NEXT GAME: 2011 OAFL FINALS SERIES - Saturday, September 17th/11, Hamilton Wildcats v High Park Demons at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON; starting @ 2PM!!! 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 02:45