ROUND #14 Game Report: Hamilton Wildcats (10-3) v Ottawa Swans (3-10) at Rideau Carlton Raceway, Ottawa, ON.
This past weekend, the OAFL regular season fixture was wrapping-up, and the Hamilton Wildcats headed east up the 401 to face the Ottawa Swans at the beautiful Rideau Carlton Raceway. The 'Cats were coming off a 3rd consecutive win heading into the match-up, and despite being out of the Finals race in 2011, the Swans were looking to play spoilers in front of a massive home crowd and finish their year with a win.
In the past years, the Wildcats have always gotten off to a slow start when rocking up to the ground in Ottawa, especially after the 5.5hr drive. This year the 'Cats were looking to make the 1st quarter their best, especially against a Swans side who have really started to pick-up momentum over the previous few rounds and even defeating the Broadview Hawks in Toronto a week earlier. Despite several key guys out of the line-up due to injuries or just unable to make the long trip to the Nation's Capital, the Hamilton boys were still confident on their chances but would definitely need to play a solid defensive game around the ground as well as kick truly when given the chance in front of goal.
Ottawa got off to a great start, winning the opening tap in the ruck and picking up the 1st clearance of the game, but the Wildcat backline of Justin Johns, Rookie of the Year candidate Drew Dupras, Michael "I kick 6 goals one game then get shifted to the backline the next" Visser & Nick DiRago worked well to repell any offensive attacks by the Swans and rebounded the footy well up the to Wildcat wingers. Luke "Digits" Lombardini, Brett Aiken & ruckman Ed Debruijn worked well in the guts, tackling well when losing the taps and quickly kicking forward when the ball bounced their way. Wildcat veteran Charles "Who needs an achilles anyways" Thompson opened the scoring for the visitors taking a great mark over a much taller opponent off a great feed from Kris "50 games" McKillop, kicking true and seemingly injected life into the rest of the Wildcats midway through the 1st quarter. The teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the 1st quarter, but Hamilton came out ahead by a goal, 2.3 to 1.3 after 20mins.
After a bit of a spray from Head Coach, and in this writers opinion 2011 OAFL Coach of the Year candidate, Matt Lowry; the 'Cats came out possessed to start the 2nd frame, kicking 2 quick goals (C. Thompson, H. Graef) and looked to be running away with the match. Ottawa on the other hand definitely had different ideas and began to battle back hard as the 2nd quarter wound down. Their attack for the footy and strong defensive play was definitely worrisome for the Hamilton boys, and the game that looked to be out of reach only moments earlier was now looking like it was going to come down to the final kick. At the end of the first half, Hamilton led 5.7.37 to 2.4.16, but the game was much closer than the score led on and Hamilton would need to regroup during the break if they were to add to their current 3 game winnings streak heading into the Finals series. Both Clubs worked tirelessly in the middle, winning many hard ball gets and the on-ball brigade for both Hamilton & Ottawa definitely earned their post game beers on this day. Great individual performances from Wildcat winger Jeff Steinmetz, who earned the "Hard Hat Award" for his efforts on the day, veteran Terry Brake who was back in the line-up after missing several weeks with a foot injury, as well as rookie Sean DiRago and 17 year old Aussie utility Connor Lowry.
Despite a massive attempt to come from behind and pick up the upset win at home versus the 2nd place Wildcats, the damage was seemingly done in the 2nd quarter as Hamilton eventually ran out winners on the day by 5 goals, 12.15.87 to 8.6.54. The Swans played very well all day long, and seemed to have made huge strides forward as a Club on field this season; with several talented rookies now into the fold and a vastly improved core of Canadians around the ground. Although the season is done for the Swannies, Hamilton will now have a week off to prepare for the 2011 OAFL Finals series, which kicks off on Sept 10th/11. The Wildcats, who finished the season proper in 2nd place, will face the 1st place Etobicoke Kangaroos, with both Clubs holding on to a double chance in the race for the '11 OAFL Flag. Please make sure you circle this date on your calendars, and do whatever you can to get out and support the Wildcats!!!
HAMILTON WILDCATS 12.15.87 def. OTTAWA SWANS 8.6.54
HAMILTON GOALS: C. Thompson (5), D. Crouch (2), L. Lombardini (1), C. Lowry (1), D. Rutten (1), H. Graef (1), S. DiRago (1)
HAMILTON BEST: C. Thompson (BOG), J. Steinmetz (Hard Hat Award), J. Johns, L. Lombardini, D. Dupras, B. Aiken
GAME PHOTOS: Courtest of Rob Colburn (photo #1) & Bonnie Wallingford (photos #2 & #3) PHOTO #2 - Kris "Killer" McKillop with his "50 Game Plaque" that the Club made from part of the tree that fell on him prior to the Round #4 game earlier in the year. PHOTO #3 - A few of the boys enjoying a beer post game!!! (from L to R: Harley Graef, Jeff Steinmetz, Brett Aiken, Luke Lombardini, Justin Johns)
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=122931047&c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: 2011 OAFL FINALS SERIES - Saturday, September 10th/11, (11-3) Hamilton Wildcats v (13-1) Etobicoke Kangaroos at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (Humber College South), Toronto, ON; starting @ 11AM!!! 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 02:44