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Hawks Grounded In Hamilton as 'Cats Claw Their Way To Victory The only way to get better in life is to learn from your mistakes…and the same is true in football. The Hamilton Wildcats definitely learnt their lesson after their recent loss vs. the Eagles in Round #6, by putting in the hard yards at training all week and rockingup to their home oval at Mohawk Sports Park on Sunday, July 12th ready to make amends in Round #7 vs. the (4-2) Broadview Hawks. The embarrassment of having to listen to the Eagles players singing their victory song on our home ground was exactly the wake-up call that this Club desperately needed. After dropping a close game to the Broadview Hawks to open their '09 season (74 to 57) at Humber College in Toronto, the Wildcats were looking to even the season series with a win at home, as well as to keep the OAFL Phantom on their bandwagon as they were tipped to upset the Hawks. For the second time this year, the 'Cats were lucky enough to have 24 dressed for this very important rematch... Continued Canada' Aussie Allstar Team In conjunction with the USFooty and Canada's National Football Team Northwind, AFL Canada has arranged a football carnival to be played on Aug 1st long weekend in Mason Ohio, USA. The weekend will feature four games as follows. Saturday August 1st Canada's Aussie Allstars Vs USA Aussie Allstars Northwind Vs Revolution Sunday August 2nd Canada's Aussie Allstars Vs Revolution USA Aussie Allstars Vs Northwind AFL Canada is now seeking Australian football players for selection into the Canada's Aussie Allstar Team. Selection is Canada wide and open to any Australian registered footballer living in Canada that is currently playing for an AFL Canada resistered football club. Australian fottball player interested in playing are urgerd to IMMEDIATELY register via email at the following and include name, club and relevant contact details Martin Walter Marty@aflcanada.com Emile Studham emile@theaussiex.com A 55 seater luxury coah will depart from Toronto's Union station 9am Friday July 31st for Mason, Ohio returning Sunday August 2nd. Cost of travel is $75 and will be applied directy to the bus payment. Northwind and the Canadian Aussie Allstar Team will travel on the same buss. Accommodations has been booked at the King Island Resort (close to football field) in Mason, at a rate of US$119 per night per room based on double occupancy. Players are required to pay for their accommodation. For further inquiries please contact Martin Walter, Northwind General Manager at 416 599 4133 during office hours> Eagles Soar Into Hammer And Steal Win From Wildcats After starting the '09 season with a disappointing loss to the Hawks in Round #1, the Wildcats have compiled 4 consecutive victories and were set to face their equals on the OAFL ladder, the (4-1) Toronto Eagles. To say that the Eagles were a nemesis Club for the 'Cats would be an understatement, as this writer has played for the Hamilton side for the past 10 seasons, not once celebrating a win over the "gold & blue". Hamilton was blessed to have star mid-fielder Brett Hill back on the oval for his first taste of regular season action, after breaking his right wrist during the pre-season tournament in early May. As luck would have it, just when the 'Cats seemed to be getting healthier and re-gaining all their true "starters", a couple key players ducked out. '09 recruit Peter Hyrhorec, ruckman Jeff Fish, Cam Fawns and veteran mid-fielder Mike Nolan were all healthy scratches for this very important match-up (Mike became a father for the 1st time, CONGRATS mate), ....Continued New Wildcat Shines On A Sloppy Saturday To Help Slay Demons After coming off a very successful trip to the Nation's Capital in Round 4 vs. the Swans, the (3-1) Wildcats again hit the road to face the (1-3) High Park Demons this past Saturday at Humber College North. On what could be described as very sloppy conditions by most Canadians, it was typical footy weather for those "down under" and the visiting 'Cats were hoping to escape without getting too bloodied on the day. Despite missing several key starters for the second match-up between the 2 Clubs (Hamilton winning the 1st game by 128 points at MSP), the 'Cats were again blessed by their influx of new recruits in '09 and still were able to rock-up to Humber North with 24 keen players. High Park was not so lucky, as they needed to pull from eager spectators roaming the sidelines to field a full 18, but it wasn't the numbers that looked to keep this a low scoring affair…it was the weather. Right from the opening bounce the pitch was sloppy and so was much of the play. Hamilton used their size to win the contests in the guts, with Nolan & Craig "The Cyclops" Watt working well together and giving Justin "4 weeks in the UK was MORE than enough" Johns heaps of ....Continued Shorthanded Wildcats Get The Upper Hand In Nation's Capital Over Stallwart Swans After picking-up 2 very solid victories on their home turf versus the High Park Demons and Central Blues respectively, the Hamilton Wildcats packed their bags and headed East to the Nation's Capital to take on the (0-3) Ottawa Swans. Despite their overall record, the Swannies have given every Club that they've faced in '09 their fair share of headaches with a very hard-nosed style of play and were looking to play spoilers at home versus the visiting 'Cats. The beautiful scenery of the Rideau Carlton Raceway was the backdrop for the 3rd ever match-up between these 2 Clubs, with Hamilton holding onto a 2-0 series record and looking to add a 3rd win to their tally. Ottawa was coming off a very impressive effort versus the undefeated Toronto Dingos, and were definitely hoping to take the undermanned Wildcats by surprise ....Continued Hamilton Gives Central The 'Blues' With Solid Round 3 Victory At M.S.P After a very impressive 128 point win over the High Park Demons a week earlier on their home ground, (1-1) Hamilton was primed to face the always tough (1-1) Central Blues in what looked to be the "Match of the Round". Since the final horn of the '08 OAFL Grand Final had sounded, both Hamilton & the Blues have seemingly made several very solid off-season recruiting moves and front office changes in hopes of making a run towards the Finals in '09. This Round #3 match-up was definitely going to put both Clubs to the test, as many eyes around the league were fixed on the scoreboard to see who would survive this epic battle and come away with a very important 4 points in Hamilton. Since both of these Clubs had faced each other last season (Blues coming away with a hard fought 50-47 victory over the 'Cats @ Humber North), many wholesale player changes have been made and deciding which Club had the upperhand on paper would be ....Continued Vastly Improved 'Cats Claw Their Way To Victory Over Visiting Demons After a very strong showing during their slim Round #1 loss to the power-house Broadview Hawks, the Hamilton Wildcats headed home to the cozy confines of Mohawk Sports Park to face the (0-1) High Park Demons to kick off their '09 homecoming. The 'Cats seemed to have opened a few eyes around the OAFL with their strong effort in their opening match-up versus one of the league's top sides, and hoped to carry that same momentum home against the struggling Demons. Veteran ruckman Paul Lawson picked-up exactly where he left off from Round #1, winning the opening bounce and dropping the footy directly into the muscular arms of rover Mike "Abs" Nolan who delivered a bomb into the 'Cats forward line eventually leading to the first "sausage roll" of the game from CHF .... Continued Tenacious 'Cats give Hawks a Scare at Humber North in Round 1! This past weekend marked the official kick-off of the 2009 OAFL Season with the "battlefield" at Humber College North scheduled to host 8 of the league's 10 clubs including the highly anticipated match-up between the Hamilton Wildcats and the Broadview Hawks. Round 1 was not only the official start to the '09 fixture, but it was the first real test for many of the OAFL's rookies to earn their wings the hard way. Right from the opening bounce, both clubs looked hungry and fought hard for every loose ball and 50/50 position. Rookie ruckman Matt "Windy City" Witt started in the square for the 'Cats, as Hamilton's starting tall Paul Lawson was still.... Continued TOP 4! The Hamilton Wildcats nab 4th place in the first ever Canadian National Championships held at Humber North this past weekend. Saturday morning the 'Cats took the field against the Central Blues, with excellent voices and great follow-up efforts made throughout the field the excited 'Cats jumped out to an early lead and kept that momentium going all throughout the game kicking home a win in their first match. With a long layup 'till their next matchup the 'Cats fielded an inexperienced team against the depleted Toronto Rebels and recruited for the match Toronto Dingos. Not to be outdone the rookies looked to their vets and punishied the "Relgos" hard for their earned touches and goals, but at the final whistle the joined team took a victory over the Wildcats. Sunday morning the bruised Hamilton team went to Humber North to play the Toronto Eagles in the semi final matchup. Once again the shortened side of Hamilton fielded a team of rookies eager to get some match up time in before regular season games begin. With some brilliant plays emerging from all over the field the 'Cats looked good, going hard to the ball and helping out fellow teammates, but the more experienced Eagles shorted the Wildcats day to just one game. The Hamilton Wildcats now look forward regular season play begining this weekend against the Broadview Hawks. Other match-ups this weekend pit the Gargoyles vs. the Blues, Eagles vs. Roos, Swans vs. Rebels, and the Demons against the Dongos. Canadian Nationals Schedule Released Group 1 Etobicoke Kangaroos Central Blues Hamilton Wildcats Toronto Rebels Group 2 Toronto Eagles Broadview Hawks Guelph Gargoyles Toronto Dingos Sat 16th May 9:40 Etobicoke Kangaroos vs. Toronto Rebels Match 1 10:30 Toronto Eagles vs. Toronto Dingos Match 2 11:20 Central Blues vs. Hamilton Wildcats 12:10 Broadview Hawks vs. Guelph Gargoyles Match 4 1:00 Junior match hosted by Aussie X 2:00 W Match 1 vs. L Match 3 2:50 W Match 2 vs. L Match 4 3:40 W Match 3 vs. L Match 1 4:30 W Match 4 vs. L Match 2 Sun 17th May 11:00 Consolation Final 1 Teams TBA 11:50 Semi Final 1 Teams TBA 12:40 Semi Final 2 Teams TBA 2:00 Consolation Final 2 Teams TBA 2:50 Championship Game Teams TBA Canadian Nationals This year the OAFL is running a 'Nationals' tournament. Currently only OAFL teams have entered, but we really need to get behind the competition so that in future years in becomes something where Calgary, Vancouver etc come over for. The format of the tournament has not yet been announced but it will definitely take place on Saturday and Sunday at Humber North. We'll end up playing about 4 games over the 2 days, so again it will be a great chance for everyone to get some good match time in and also try and win the title! Preseason Kick vs. Guelph This past Saturday the Hamilton Wildcats headed up hwy 6 to kick off some rust and give many of their rookies a much needed first look of an exhibition match against the Guelph Gargoyles. With Justin ‘hammy free’ Johns wandering the field assisting the rookies and Tim ‘I slept in but I have all the jumpers’ Wilson watching the plays while doing goal umpiring, many positives were taken out of the match up along with what coach Luke ‘ I am still to pretty to hit’ Main needs to work on with his Wildcat team. Outdoor Trainings At Cathedral Park The boys of summer are back to brave the beautiful Canadian spring weather and knock off some winter rust and shed those unwanted winter pounds. With the Wildcats training grounds of Cathedral Park drying out after the snow melt coach Luke Main has moved the weekly training sessions from The Athletic Club in Brantford down hwy 403 to the outdoor grounds. Trainings will begin at 6:30pm so you should be dressed and ready to go, as coach won't be waiting and your fellow 'Cats will be working on their skills for this season. Preseason Trainings To Begin! This year the 'Cats hope to get a good start on the 2009 premiership, so captain Mike Nolan graciously arranged for all us fat cats to train at the Athletic Club in Brantford starting on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2009 at 7:30pm. You will need a pair of non-marking sneakers and a water bottle. All are welcome and no experience is necessary so bring a buddy. Come out and try this addictive sport for yourself. Wildcat President On ABC Radio! Before christmas our very own president had an interesting chat with a radio host Jarrod Watt on ABC Ballarat click the link to listen the little man with a big heart and learn some of his interesting back ground. ABC Ballarat Radio Congratulations Amy and Reuben The Hamilton Wildcats would like to congratulate Wildcat vetran Reuben Sculthorp and wife Amy on the birth of their second son, Mason Christopher, who was born at 5:30am on friday oct 31st. Both mother and baby are healthy and doing well. So congrats to the Sculthorp family we hope to see you out and about this summer cheering on your Wildcat family. 2008 Hamilton Wildcat Presentation Banquet With the closing of the 2008 football season comes the much anticipated award presentation and banquet. Once again the decor and food was amazing with the dink of choice flowing easy as stories were told of highlights and heartbreaks of the past year. Many players were congratulated for their efforts on and off the field, but none more than Tim Wilson who captured the Heart and Soul award and Captain Mike Nolan who beat out Brett Hill for the coveted Best and Fairest Award.... Continued For all our past news and highlights please vist our Club News page. |
