The (8-3) Hamilton Wildcats will be playing the final home game of the 2011 regular season this coming Saturday, and facing off against the always tough (7-4) Guelph Gargoyles. Hamilton is coming off a massive win over the 2nd place High Park Demons just this past weekend, while the 'Gargs have had the last 2 weeks off to rest any injured players and prepare themselves for what will definitely be an epic battle of 3rd (Hamilton) v 4th (Guelph) on the OAFL ladder in Steeltown!!!
Round #12: HAMILTON WILDCATS (8-3) v GUELPH GARGOYLES (7-4)
Venue: Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON. Game starts at 11:00AM sharp!!! Map/Directions: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-0&sID=160735
2011 Match-up(s): Guelph Gargoyles def. Hamilton Wildcats in RD #7, 7.12.54 to 5.6.36 at Margaret Greene Park, Guelph, ON.
2011 RD #7 Match Report v Guelph Gargoyles here: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-0-11313702&sID=160052&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=16181215§ionID=160052
Key Players: Hamilton - many new Canadian recruits have helped in both Wildcat wins this season, and will look to do the same vs the Demons. 1st year players, Alex Pawliwec, Drew Dupras, Justin Hyde, Gary "MCG" Hesmer and Jeremy Taylor all play big roles across the oval for the 'Catters. Guelph - This could be a very long list, as Guelph has many quality Canadian and Australian players that on any given day could win them the game. Canuck veterans like Rich Parker, Jeff Borysiewicz, Greg Logel and Matt Bannon will all need to be kept under wraps by the Wildcat taggers, as their speed, agility and ability for taking strong overhead marks have given many opposing backlines nightmares. On the Aussie front, Guelph has only gotten stronger with the return of gun Scott Rowe in the middle and 2011 addition of Aaron Mathews in front of the goals. Scotts ability to win the ball from the center and deliver into the forward line to the likes of Mathews & Gord Munro will be something the 'Cats will have to work hard to prevent.
Key OUTS: Hamilton - Vice Captain Justin Settle (traveling to Australia w/ Northwind squad for AFL International Cup 2011), Guelph - Adam Millen, Alex Filipowisz, Zach MacDonald (all traveling to Australia w/ Northwind squad for AFL International Cup 2011)
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. Ruckmen Paul Lawson and Ed DeBruin have done well against all opponents so far this season, winning the ball in the taps more often than not. Strong recruiting over the off-season has blessed the Hamilton boys with several talented Canadian additions, all playing big roles for the Club in '11. Heart & fight for the footy have always been strengths for the 'Cats, but their forward will need to start converting all the hard ball gets by their mid-fielders to push this Club into the Finals.
GARGOYLES Strengths: Fitness, fitness, fitness. Did I mention fitness. Overall, a very quick team with great height & size, who run extremely well when given the chance and work hard for the footy when on the ground. Hamilton stacks up quiet well versus the Gargs on the ground, but matching-up speed-wise will definitely be a challenge.
Round #12 Prediction: Hamilton Wildcats to win the re-match def. Guelph Gargoyles 73-60
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 09/08/2011 07:31