ROUND #11 Game Report (WOMENS): Hamilton Wildcats (2-4) v Etobicoke Lady Kangaroos (2-3), at University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus), Toronto, ON.
After a 4 week lay-off, the Hamilton Wildcats AFC Women were primed to get back in action, and set to face the experienced Etobicoke Lady 'Roos for a neutral site game at University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus) this past weekend. This would be the second meeting for both Clubs in 2012, with the 'Roos holding a 1 game to 0 advantage; as Etobicoke won soundly in Round #3 by 30+ points on Hamilton's home oval. The Lady Wildcats were lookingto avenge that earlier loss, and show Etobicoke how far they've come as a team in the past 6-8 weeks.
Unlike their 1st match-up this season, the weather would not be on their side this Saturday, as both Clubs were destined for some wet weather footy at UTSC (Univeristy of Toronto, Scarborough Campus) in Toronto. Etobicoke was a much more experience side than the Wildcats, and this would be the first real test in the wet for Hamilton, as they've been lucky enough to have had great weather for each of their previous 6 games in 2012. It's definitely a different style of footy, and teams need to have all their players working together around the ground to be successful in less than favourable conditions. Not only would both Clubs be challenged by the rain and the wet footy, but this would be the 1st game this season that Hamilton would be playing on a full ground (normally our Women's matches have been played on half the oval). Both Clubs decided to play 11 v 11 on the full oval, so conditioning and teamwork would be keys to victory on this day.
Right from the opening bounce, it was evident that Hamilton were sticking to a specific gameplan, as Women's Head Coach Harley Graef wanted the ladies to play direct footy and work hard to win the 50/50 challenges for the footy around the ground. The Wildcats worked the footy easliy out of the center, with Jodie Fluit and Megan Griffiths battling hard to move the footy towards Etobicoke's goals, and applying early pressure. Despite several great individual plays by the hometown 'Roos, Hamilton just seemed to have more in the tank all game long and worked better as a group rather than having 2 or 3 players doing all the work. Solid marking and a great desire to work for the loose footy seemed to be helping the Wildcats keep the Kangaroos offense at bay, as Hamilton eventually ran out winners on the day 2.8.20 to 0.2.2, for their first win in 4 weeks and their 3rd on the season. It was definitely a massive team effort in a great win bythe Lady Wildcats, and after speaking with Coach Graef post game, he could not express enough how impressed he was with the overall improvement of every single Hamilton player. He noted that without all 11 women working together, and never giving up even in poor playing conditions, it definitely could have been a different outcome.
The Hamilton Wildcats Women's squad (3-4) will be in action again this coming weekend, as the head to Colonel Samuel Smith Park (Humber College South) in Toronto to take on the undefeated High Park Lady Demons (8-0). Aftera big win versus a talented and experienced kangaroos side, the Lady Wildcats will need to continue working hard at training this Wednesday and ensure they are 100% prepared to face the defending 2011 OAFL Women's Premiers. Let's get out to support these ladies on Saturday, and ensure the Wildcats continue their hot play of late, as it should be a great game of women's footy this weekend!!!
HAMILTON WILDCATS 2.8.20 def ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS 0.2.2
HAMILTON GOALS: K. Heil (1), D. Comolli (1)
HAMILTON BEST: J. Fluit (BOG), D. Comolli, K. Heil, K. Balogh
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123773242&c=1-7394-110437-209605-16871693&pool=1
2012 OAFL WOMEN'S LADDER: https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?id=16871693&client=1-7394-110437-0-14207859&compID=209605&a=LADDER
NEXT GAME: Saturday, Aug 18th/12 v High Park Lady Demons (8-0), at Colonel Samuel Smith park (Humber College South); 10AM start!!! ALL WOMEN'S TEAM MEMBERS MUST BE AT THE GROUND NO LATER THAN 9AM SHARP!!!
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C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 15/08/2012 21:52