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Round
12
ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS HUMBLE WILDCATS AT HUMBER COLLEGEAfter coming off an emotional loss against the high flying Broadview Hawks a week earlier,
the (6-5) 'Cats hit the road and traveled to Humber College North in Toronto to face the
impressive (10-0) Etobicoke Kangaroos. In their first match-up this season, the Wildcats had to
play down 2 men for the entire game and things didn't look much better for their second game
in '07, as Hamilton was missing many of their offensive weapons and defensive captains. The
visitors were definetly in tough against the first place 'Roos who were 24 players deep and
injury free. With normal ruckman Paul Lawson stuck in traffic, Jeff Fish started things off
for the 'Cats in the guts as the game got under way. Etobicoke used their experience and speed
to clear the center square and move the footy up field to their "talls" in the forward line.
Hamilton's back men battled hard to clear their end over and over, but the offensive flood
from the 'Roos just kept on coming. Rookie of the year candidate Justin Settle and veteran
'Cat Charles Thompson worked well together in the back to help keep the score close as the
first came to a close, but Hamilton would definitelybe fighting an up-hill battle for the
remaining 60 minutes. Former Wildcat Rob McElwain was coaxed out of retirement for this
weekends game vs. the league's top side, as he was hoping to help spark the Hamilton offensive
while many of their regular players were on the IR or on summer vacation. His speed and
hard hitting style was definitely welcomed with open arms, and seemed to give many of the
Wildcat players a boost across the middle ground. One of those players who fed off of
Rob's enthusiasm was Wildcat assistant coach Brett "Hilly" Hill, who seemed to be able to do
no wrong with the footy, as his accurate kicks, tenacious tagging and beautiful marks helped
to keep Hamilton within striking distance heading into the half. derek Rutten and Josh
Beaupre were also working very wel together across the center, running in packs and winning
many 50/50 contest with their tireless work ethic. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, despite many
courageous performances all over the ground, the fitness, skill and greater experience of the
Etobicoke side was definitely too much for the Hamilton Wildcats to handle, as the 'Roos ran
out the winner on the day 20.9.129 to 0.6.6. On a positive, Hamilton has yet to face the 'Roos with
a full side this season, and hopefully will have another crack in the OAFL Finals which will
begin in only a few weeks. The (6-6) Wildcats will now head home for their game of the
year at Mohawk Sports Park vs. the Central Blues on Saturday, August 18th starting @
12pm. ith only 2 games left in the 2007 season, the 'Cats will be looking to finish off their
season with a two game winning streak...hopefully giving them a wave of momentum as they
look to head into the OAFL playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
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