ROUND #3 Game Report: Hamilton Wildcats (1-1) v Etobicoke Kangaroos (2-0), at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON.
After coming off a tough loss to the top of the ladder Broadview Hawks in Round 2, Hamilton headed home to face the reigning 2011 OAFL Premiers at Mohawk Sports Park, in hopes of getting back into the win column. The Etobicoke Kangaroos (2-0), have looked good so far this season, but the Wildcats (1-1) were hoping to end the Roos' win streak with a victory in their Home Opener.
From the opneing bounce, the hometown Wildcats came out hitting hard early; kicking the first of the game and trying to set the tone for things to come. Hamilton controlled the first 10 minutes of the game, giving the home town boys a real sniff, before Roos awoke from their 1st quarter slumber and tried to sneak back into the game. Thankfully for the 'Cats, Etobicoke were very inaccurate in front of the goals early, which kept the scoreline close despite putting on a great deal of pressure on the Wildcat backline. Hamilton CHB, Justin "OMJ" Johns was a big loss in the second, suffering his first (of likely many) hamstring strains this year...and the loss of Johns definitely showed, as the Roos shut out Hamilton during the 2nd term.
The Wildcats fought back a bit in the 3rd, readjusting their line up and battling hard for the loose footy. Grabbing the first goal of the premiership quarter meant "game on" in Steeltown, but the run of the Roos out of the middle was unstoppable. Clint Munro & rookie sensation, Deion Ratcliff worked tirelessly to stop the flow of goals in the Hailton backline, but the pressure was too great for just a select few to control; despite Ratcliff being arguably one of Hamiltons best on e the day. Even though the Roos flowed into the Wildcat defensive half with ease from the center of the ground, the 'Cats should be pleased with their efforts as they were able to hold OAFL gun, Emile "Red Dragon" Studham to only 3 goals on the day, when he can easily torch opposing Clubs for 6+ when given the chance. Down forward, Hamilton rookie Andy "Neon" Leon was one of the best, presenting a solid target across half forward (kicking 2 goals on the day), and Dennis "Jet Li" Choi was again in outstanding form across the middle tagging some of Etobicokes' best players. Team Captain Luke "Digits" Lombardini never game up throughout the 3rd and 4th, winning BOG (Best on Ground) for Hamilton and playing extremely well versus his former Club; while 1st year import Simon "Simmo" O'Donnell and Justin "Sets" Settle were also impressive.
Albeit the 'Cats lost, the work ethic of a vastly undermanned Hamilton team (only one Australian on the bench for the best part of the game) was massively improved from their previous game vs the Hawks, and will take the attitude into this weeks training sessions, as well as the game v the winless Central Blues on Sat. June 2nd at Humber College South (Colonel Samuel Smith Park) in Toronto.
ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS 11.20.86 def HAMILTON WILDCATS 8.8.56
HAMILTON GOALS: A. Leon (2), D. Choi, D. Andjelkovic, A. Mazer, D. Di Santo, L. Lombardini
HAMILTON BEST: L. Lombardini (BOG), J. Settle, D. Choi, A. Leon, D. Ratcliff, S. O'Donnell
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123772768&c=1-7394-110437-209606-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, June 2nd/12, (1-2) Hamilton Wildcats v (0-2) Central Blues at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON; game starts @ 10AM!!! (PLAYERS: PLEASE be dressed & ready to warm-up NO LATER than 9AM). 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 06/06/2012 04:13