After starting the season with their first 3 games on the road, Hamilton will now have the luxary of having 3 of their next 4 at home, facing the Toronto Rebels this coming weekend in their 2nd meeting of the season. Hamilton won the 1st meeting by 85 points (118-33) and will be looking to keep their 2 game win streak rolling this coming weekend; but the Rebels have always posed a tough ask for the Wildcats, whether at home or on the road.
Round #10: HAMILTON WILDCATS (6-2) v TORONTO REBELS (1-8)
Venue: Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON. (@ 11am start) Sat., July 23rd/11
Map/Directions: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-0&sID=160735
2011 Match-up(s): Hamilton Wildcats def. Toronto Rebels in RD #1, 117.16.118 to 5.3.33 at Margaret Green Park in Guelph.
2011 RD #1 Match Report v Toronto Rebels here: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-0-0&sID=160052&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=15693227§ionID=160052
Key Players: Hamilton - Depending on who's chosen for the starting list this weekend. Team Captains Brett "Nuts" Aiken & Vice Justin Settle have been extremely dominant for the 'Cats every round, and definitely have impacted each game this season. Luke Lombardini & Brendan Major have been lighting it up as of late, and their hard attack for the footy has started to rub off on many of the newer players around the oval. As the weeks go by, it's the "lesser knowns"/rookies that have been the stars for the Wildcats, with first year players Drew Dupras showing that he can tag the oppositions best Aussie/Canadian in the guts, then shut down offensive stars when playing in Hamilton's backline. Jeremy Taylor, Gary "MCG" Hessmer, Dan Gibbs, Steve "Banga" Dostal (out due to injury the last 3 games), Tom Bialynicky & Alex Pawliwec have all been instrumental pieces to the Hamilton puzzle so far this year as well and we look for them to make big contributions this week v the Rebels as well. Toronto - Newcomer Morgan King (who kicked 3 of their 5 goals in the 1st match-up this season v the Wildcats), Michael Fabbri who is always danagerous when he's got a chance to run/attack with the footy, sure-handed full forward Peter Borman, speedy rover Cam Stark, "Drago" in the ruck and Nick P. who in his 200000 games of footy in Canada can be a force whether he's roaming in front of the oppositions goals or playing defense in front of his own.
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. New import ruckman Cam Teague & back-up Eben Schaeffer have filled-in for the vacationing/injured tandem of P. Lawson & E. DeBruin, helping the 'Cats to win many of the center clearances over the last 3 Rounds. Over the last couple of weeks, we've seen several "unknowns" really step-up their game or shine in positions not thought would be a strong suit for them, only improving depth around the oval. REBELS Strengths: The Rebels play a very similar style of footy to the Wildcats, hitting hard and attacking the footy well when in the air or on the ground. They have better height around the ground than the Wildcats and possess a lot of speed across the center. A very talented group of experienced Aussies, led by "Fabs" & 2011 Captain "Morgs", will keep the 'Cats on their toes all game long and will definitely make our backline earn their "paycheque", as they always have the potential to blow any game open with their accurate kicking and hardness for the ball.
Round #10 Prediction: In a close game, HAMILTON wins by 2 goals.
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 21/07/2011 06:20