This coming weekend, the Hamilton Wildcats will head East up the 403 to face the Toronto Dingos at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (at Humber College South) on Saturday, August 20th @ 12noon. The Wildcats will finish the 2011 season proper on the road, and with the Dingos currently sitting in 6th place on the OAFL ladder, the Hamilton boys will have to be at their best as the "Doggies" will be looking for a big win to move up the ladder.
Round #13: HAMILTON WILDCATS (9-3) v TORONTO DINGOS (6-6)
Venue: Colonel Samuel Smith Park (at Humber College South), Toronto, ON. Game starts at 12NOON sharp!!!
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 Dingos in RD #9, 12.14.86 to 8.2.50 at Mohawk Sports Park in Hamilton, ON.
2011 RD #9 Match Report v Toronto Dingos here: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-0-0&sID=160052&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=16362726§ionID=160052
Key Players: Hamilton - as the 'Cats continue to use their 'reserve rotation', and rest several of their veterans heading into the 2011 Finals series, the door will open for new players, Drew Dupras (Hard Hat Award in Round #6 v Swans), Justin Hyde, Gary "MCG" Hesmer, Dan Gibbs, Tom Bialynicky, bigman Steve Dostal and follower Jeremy Taylor all play big roles across the oval for the 'Catters. Toronto - Just as Hamilton's oppoent last week in the Gargoyles, the Dingos also have a many number of targets around the oval that can cause any team in the OAFL headaches and if not tagged, run up the score easily. Aussie gun Craig Stewart is definitely one of the dangermen for Toronto, and someone that always seems to have a field-day against the Wildcats; kicking 3 goals v the 'Cats in Round #9 this year. Mick McFarlane (may be out with injury), "Obi", "Butch" & James Duggan will also be guys that the 'Catters will need to keep under wraps if they are to have a shot at taking home the 4 points at home v the Dingos. The Wildcats will need to bring their "A" game versus last season's Grand Finalists, as they will be hungry to improve their current 6th place seeding on the OAFL ladder and even the season series against Hamilton.
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. DINGOS Strengths: Height, speed and hardness for the footy. That pretty much sums up the Dingos, but their experience around the oval is something that many teams in the OAFL overlook, and teams with experience always seem to be slow starters but strong finishers. Last season the Dingos looked to be out of the Finals race, only to surprise everyone (excpet for themselves), and fall by a slim margin to the Blues in the Grand Final. This year they started of with a loss to the Blues (Central's only win of the year to date), but have been on a roll of late. The battle of the "coloured sashes" always live up to expectations, and this definitely has the potential to be the "Match of the Round".
Round #13 Prediction: Hamilton Wildcats def. Toronto Dingos 56-53 in a very hard hitting, defensive affair.
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 18/08/2011 05:48