Hello Footy Heads, another great week of footy in Ontario!
Some big results and some unexpected results in the form of upsets it wasn't a great week for my picks! 2 games being shown on Rogers TV has been great, I've been able to review them in detail despite the conditions being a bit average.
Some results has certainly has made the competition a bit more interesting and the top 6 really does have some spots up for grabs going into the final block of 4 games of the season. That will all come in a couple days in my Round 9 predictions but first, my #AFLOrd8 review!
Roos 10.15.75 def Hawks 8.8.56
Lake was back in the Roos side as they took it to the Hawks with a side missing the likes of JR and Hazzy. Cuzner was still there though as was Bretta and Kenna, the later who kicked 3 goals.
The Hawks have been on a downslide this month having dropped the last 2 games without their stars of Dullard and Killa. The normally high scoring Hawks had only 16 scoring shots in comparison to the Roos 25 suggesting that maybe their depth is a bit questionable! Lyttle and Shutts kicked 2 each while Jimmy Shutts was judged their best.
The Roos stealing a much needed win, ending their 3 game losing streak and giving their September aspirations a much needed booth!
Phantom starting #AFLOrd8 at 0/1.
Wildcats 14.11.95 def Demons 8.8.56
I have been saying for weeks that the Cats would sneak a win and that Round 8 was their best shot yet and I was very pleased to see the boys from Hamilton get a win on the board. Captain McDowall lead his team from the front with 7 goals while guys like Visser, Lowry, Di Santo, Wilson and Sherwood played their roles as well.
The Demons are on a serious downslide and were short with 16 names, no Casey, Doggett or Quigley they were really lacking some key players. Sammutt kicked 2 and Loughnane was back with 1 but it was finally a day for the Cats and they proved they are on the right track in the rebuild.
Phantom continues with bad picks - 0/2
Swans 21.25.151 def Eagles 0.0.0
Did someone say revenge? Apparently elephants never forget and neither do Swans as they showed the Eagles absolutely no mercy in the Nation's Capital. With memories of an even worse blow out in defeat still in their minds, the Swans piled on the goals as Stafford was judged best on ground with 4 goals. Kozlowski, Bridges and Robinson had 3 goals each and if not for some inaccurate kicking this could have been substantially worse.
It must be said that the Eagles were severely undermanned, with some experienced players missing the likes of Koens, Sauce, Matty B and Butsy amongst others and some injuries. They blooded a bunch of new rookies and while Marshy was their best, apparently Azza was 'chasing' kicks in defence! I would have liked to see that!
Phantom 1/3
Dingos 12.8.81 def Blues 2.4.16
After starting the season 1-5 the Dingos have now won 2 in a row and both by around 10 goals. They came out of the blocks hard and never looked back in some fairly sloppy conditions at Humber South. Bolstered by the return of Evans and Edwards, who appears to have gone down with a serious knee injury they had some good movement from the middle and showed an ability to put scores on the board. Edwards going down was a loss but they seemingly filled that void with ease against a Blues line up with no answers. McKay was the best for my mind providing a lot of run off the half back line.
The Blues had all their Canadians in with Rutledge playing well and Armstrong too, but were missing their keys in Doc, Willsy and Shorty. Daws hasn't been seen in weeks so not sure on his status, his mate Chopper played alright but it was Sone who I thought was their best. Not a game I expected the Blues to drop on the way to September!
Phantom 1/4 in #AFLOrd8
Rebels 9.9.63 def Gargoyles 5.5.35
The second game on Rogers TV seemed to be in heavier, messier conditions than the first. I expected this game to play out the way it did in the second half from the beginning - a tight contest, low scoring and pretty even. But that Rebels first quarter was something else in those condition as they lead by 6 goals at the first change and the Gargoyles looked like they didn't know what hit them.
The Rebels extended their league by 2 points in the second quarter and the game was basically over as it became a slug fest. King and Prendergast were not seen after half time - not sure about Prendergast but King looks to have done a hammy.
Dyer and Matthews played well for the Gargoyles, both taking some great grabs in the wet. In the end it was the Gargyoyles who won the second half of the game kicked 3.4 to the Rebels 1.5 in heavy conditions. Shame they had already been blown out of the water. 5 goals in the wet can be as good as 10 in the dry.
Phantom finishing Round 8 with 2 winners.
2XU Player of The Round
This weeks 2XU Division 1 Player of the Round is Matt McDowall of the Hamilton Wildcats. He's been leading his team from the front all year and Saturday was no exception. He kicked 7 goals and missed a few too in their maiden win of the season over the Demons. Congratulations Matt and keep up the good work in the Hammer.
Womens
Blues 7.8.50 def Roos 3.2.20
With 2 wins in a row, the Central Blues ladies were out in force on Saturday for the clubs family day. Long the whipping girls of the Division, they put on a 5 goal win and showed that they could possibly do some damage in September. Nicholls, Grant and Kelly-Witt kicked 2 goals each, Nicholls judged their best.
The Roos goal kickers were Trevean, Rulloda and DeBrabandere but their numbers looked shorter than usual. No Sisters Amaral in the side?
Phantom 1/1 in Women's Division
Wildcats 10.4.64 def Demons 1.3.9
A big day in Hamilton, its been a while since both teams had a win so I hope everyone was a Ray's to celebrate long into the evening. Comolli was amongst the best for the Wildcats as she kicked 3 goals while Pepper and Dirragio kicked 2 each.
The Demons were missing matriarch in Erin Loughnane again and their numbers are a bit on the low side. Always going to make it tough for them but this result is bigger than I ever imagined.
Phantom 2/2 for #AFLOrd8 - a perfect round!
That's it for me Footy Heads, I hope you enjoyed. Some big games coming up in Round 9, stay tuned!
- The Ghost Who Handballs
Last Modified on 24/07/2014 22:33