ROUND #10 Game Report: Hamilton Wildcats (4-5) v Toronto Eagles (1-8), at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON.
This past weekend, the Wildcats were set to play host to the Toronto Eagles at Mohawk Sports Park, and were currently in the midst of a modest 3 game win streak; with victories coming against the Ottawa Swans in Ottawa (Rd 7), High Park Demons (Rd 8) & most recently versus the always difficult Toronto Dingos at home (Rd 9). Despite their hot streak of late, the Wildcats were definitely not going to take the Eagles for granted, as Hamilton has only bested the 10-time OAFL Premiers twice in the last 14 season (Rd #5 in 2011 & Rd #1 in 2012).
The Hamilton Wildcats AFC were also very pleased to have Hamilton Ticat rookie Punter, and fellow Aussie, Josh Bartel on hand to take part in the pre-game coin toss between the two Clubs. After a friendly request was extended to Bartel via Twitter ( follow Josh: @jbartel3 ), he seemed extremely excited to check out the standard of footy here in Ontario, after putting his successful semi-professional footy career on-hold (Wodonga Bulldogs) to chase his CFL dreams here in Steeltown. Well, the Hamilton boys definitely did not disappoint, and right from the opening bounce it looks as if the Wildcats had all aspects of their game firing on all cylinders. The Eagles were the first to strike, but Hamilton battled back quickly with some great ball movement and center clearances into the sure handed forward line, finishing the first 20mins with a commanding 5.4.34 to 1.1.7 lead.
The second quarter brought more of the same, as Hamilton's backline looked almost unbeatable on the day, and everything on offense seemed to be clicking. After both Clubs exchanged goals to start the 2nd frame, Hamilton put their foot on the preverbial gas and added 7 unanswered majors, extending their 27point 1st quarter lead to 72 heading into the half. Despite the Eagles arriving at the oval with low numbers on the day, the Wildcats were able to loan 3 of their own players to help even the squads out, but without an interchange the visitors were starting to look tired midway through the match. Hamilton took advantage of their overflowing interchange while Coach Lowry moved many of the Wildcats around the ground to ensure everyone was getting a touch, and gaining some experience playing in a new position with a sizeable lead on their home oval.
To their credit, the Eagles did give the 'Cats a push in the 3rd quarter, kicking 3.1, but Hamilton made the most of their opportunities in front of the visitors goals, as the padded their lead after 60mins kicking 5.0 in the premiership quarter. Unfortunately for the visiting Eagles, it was more of the same in the final frame, as the hometown Wildcats eventually ran out winners on the day, setting 3 Club records in the meantime; 1. HIGHEST SCORE (173 Points For), 2. LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY (139 Points) & 3. MOST GOALS FOR (27), breaking the previous record(s) set in Round #10 (2011) v the Toronto Rebels (154 Points For & 23 Goals For). A big Thank You goes out to an always tough Toronto Eagles side, as they played hard all day and gave the Hamilton boys a push from opening bounce to final siren, despite what the scoreline shows. Kudos to Wildcats Tim Wilson, Danny DiSanto & Eric Kovacs for suiting up to play with the Eagles on the day, and congrats to Tim for potting 2 of Toronto's 5 goals.
We'd also really like to thank Josh Bartel and his girlfriend Elle Mae Ziebell (sister of North Melbourne Kangaroos, Jack Ziebell) for taking time of their extremely busy schedules to be a part of this event. We greatly appreciate their participation, and look forward to many more opportunities for them to join our Club on game day or at many of our upcoming social events as well. Cheers guys!!!
The Hamilton Wildcats will now have 2 weeks off, as they prepare to face the (8-2) Broadview Hawks, who have been flying high in 2012. Hamilton hopes to avenge their Rd #2 loss to the Hawks this coming weekend, but will need to do so on the road in the unfriendly confines of UTSC (University of Toronto, Scarborbough Campus) on Saturday, Aug 11th @ 12noon. Also, the (2-4) Hamilton Wildcats Women's team will be back in action this coming weekend as well, as they face the (2-3) Etobicoke Lady Kangaroos at UTSC, starting @ 11AM. Should be a great day of footy for both our Men's & Women's teams!!!
HAMILTON WILDCATS 27.11.173 def. TORONTO EAGLES 5.4.34
HAMILTON GOALS: C. Lowry (8), D. Andjelkovic (5), S. O'Donnell (4), A. Leon (2), L. Lombardini (2), D. Crouch (2), J. Steinmetz (1), J. Settle (1), N. DiRago (1), D. Choi (1)
HAMILTON BEST: S. O'Donnell (BOG), A. Leon (Hardhat Award), D. Choi, C. Lowry, J. Settle, D. Andjelkovic
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123772741&c=1-7394-110437-209606-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, Aug 11th/12, (5-5) Hamilton Wildcats v (8-2) Broadview Hawks at University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus), Toronto, ON; starting @ 12NOON!!! (PLAYERS: PLEASE be dressed & ready to warm-up NO LATER than 10:30AM). MAP: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&sID=160735
For more details on the Hamilton Wildcats AFC, our upcoming games, etc; please log on to Facebook (www.facebook.com search: "Hamilton Wildcats AFC") or "follow" us on Twitter - www.twitter.com/WILDCATSafc
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 15/08/2012 21:52