Home of the Central Blues Australian Football Club

Firstly I'd like to thank the Phantom for spreading the word on my arrival. You know what they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity. For those who know me (and not many do) they would agree that I do enjoy stirring the hornets nest and it appears the hornets nest has been stirred. Regardless, thank you again to the Phantom for the promotion - I'll be sure to return the favour. Anyways round 8 kicked off last Saturday as the Ottawa Swans hosted the tough as nails Guelph Gargoyles in a yet another great exhibition of footy in the nations capital. This game had more than just the 4 points on offer as these two sides have played the last two seasons on or around Canada for the Canada Day Cup. The Swans held the trophy heading into this game after notching up their first ever OAFL victory against the Gargoyles last season to claim the cup. The Gargoyles took the honours in 2008. So the build up was obviously pretty big for these two sides.

Swans V Gargoyles: Unfortunately for the Swans, despite their best offensive output for the current season of 5 goals, 3 behinds (for a total of 33 points) - the Gargoyles simply proved too strong, kicking 7.14.56 in reply. The Gargoyes have been one of the form teams so far - previously dispatching the Dingos in round 6 - so they had to have been confident going in. This latest victory would have been extra sweet as the side earned the right to travel home with the hardware until next year. On a positive note for the Swans, they are showing all the signs with their increased scoring in this game. To only lose to the 3rd ranked side in the comp by 4 goals is not too bad an effort. The coaching group should feel that they're on the right track and no doubt will get their first 4 points for the 2010 season in the near future.

Hawks V Demons: Following this game was on Monday 5th july with the Hawks and Dees playing their Round 4 game (which was cancelled due to the inclement weather. So this game is actually not part of Round 8. But I had to include this in. Guess who won? Get ready for it folks, I don't want anyone falling off their seats or choking on their cereal... In what was expected by many in the OAFL to be a walkover win for the Hawks saw the Dees absolutely obliterated the Hawkers in quite possible the upset of the season. For the Dees to kick 110 points against a club who in the past few seasons has ranked as being one of the top 4 sides in the competition is definitely one out of the Blue. I'm waiting to find out that this was a technical glitch or some sort of practical joke. Well done to the Dees, as well as League President Martin Walter who would be grinning from ear to ear right now and rightly so. He took a huge gamble in walking from the Hawks when many would have expected them to have a crack at a Grand Final appearance this year to lend a hand to the struggling Dees. His efforts around the club is obviously paying off.

Dingos V Eagles: This game is actually going to be played on a Thursday night (tonight) at the Roos home ground of Humber South in another of the league's new initiatives in the 2010 season. The Dingos hit a speed bump in round 7 with the Gargoyles taking the honours by 10 points in a hard fought win. While the Eagles still have not felt the sting of a loss in 2010. Can the Dingos stop the Eagles juggernaut? I don't think so. Eagles have too many weapons at their disposal to keep their Dingos opponents on the defensive rather than trying to win the game.

Beetle's Call: Eagles by 6 goals.

Roos V Demons: Humber Sth will host their second game in a row this round as the Roos play host to a Demons squad who played on Monday night. I don't think the Dees will mind having to back up 5 days after their last game given they walked off winners. Perhaps had they lost as many expected them to, this would have seemed more a chore. But instead they go into this game quite possibly feeling like they could take the 4 points here too. The Roos seemingly undestructible aura at home was vanquished by the Blues in round 7 and the Dees did just defeat the Hawks. So who's to say this couldn't happen?

Beetle's Call: I struggle to see the Roos losing 2 games in a row twice in one season. Roos by 3 goals.

Gargoyles V Wildcats: I expect that the interest surrounding the Hawks, Wildcats and Dingos will be quite high - as these three sides battle it out to remain in the race for the last couple of finals spots. Let's face it, the Eagles and Blues are probably locked in, and the way the Gargoyles have been travelling of late you would think they're as good as in. Which leaves only 3 remaining spots for the rest of the league. This will be a repeating theme over the next few weeks - but the Wildcats as one of the few teams still in the running critically need to win this to ensure they stay in it with a shot at playing finals. While a win for the Gargoyles will only solidify their hold on a top 3 spot and a serious shot at a top 2 position and a week off in the first week of finals. Huge would be an understatement here.

Beetle's Call: Home ground advantage will be a big plus for the Gargoyles here. But I'm going to pick the Wildcats given their current predicament. Hamilton by 3 points

Swans V Hawks: With Shuttleworth out after injuring his wrist/hand in the Canada Day Northwind V All-Stars game it seems the Hawks have fallen into disarray given their shock loss to the Demons on Monday night. To now have to back up and travel to Ottawa is rubbing salt into the wounds. Could be a very long week for the boys in the brown and gold. Swans played well against the Gargoyles last weekend, and would arguably be encouraged by the Dees win. If they can shut down the Hawks runners in the middle this game would go down to the wire.

Beetle's Call: I'm going to go out on another limb here and call the Swans to savour their first win for 2010.

Blues V Rebels: Currently the second best side in the comp the Blues will obviously go into this game favourites. But often this club has shown to struggle when it's not playing the backs-to-the-wall kind of games. The Blues have always enjoyed being cast as the underdogs - but its recent run of success sees this club step into the spotlight as one of the "hunted". Meanwhile the Rebels have shown over the course of their proud history that they are not a side to be taken lightly. Unlike the Blues, they have won a premiership before - so have obviously been there and done that. So don't let the current standings fool you into thinking that this game will be a walk up win for the boys in blue. On a side note, Rob Chapman will be playing in his 50th game in the Blues jumper.  

Beetle's Call: Blues should get the job done - but I expect this to be close.

Well that's it for me this week. For those readers looking to get even more info on the upcoming round of OAFL footy, check out what the Phantom, Jean Grey and The Flash have to say on their OAFL blog.