|
|
2010 Season is coming soon...new
players always welcome!
The 2010 season is coming soon. Practices are Wednesday nights at Humberside
Collegiate
Institute, north of High Park. The Demons are looking
for new players to
be part of the longest playing club in the OAFL, the High Park Demons!
For more information on playing for us, contact Chris Symons.
|
Demons Announce New Assistant Coach
The High Park Demons A.F.C. would like to welcome
Mr. Ashley Martin as an Assistant Coach.
The Demons are moving towards their goal of an
OAFL premiership and the addition of Mr. Martin will prove an important
step forward. Originating from Wannamal on the west coast of Australia,
Ash played his footy for the Gingin Eagles A.F.C.. Playing in the ruck
and full back positions, he developed into a solid football player and
has been showing excellent form for the Demons in 2010. Ash has earned
the respect of his fellow players and will fit seemlessly into this
important leadership role.
The first opportunity for Ash to lead the team
will be against the Lakeshore Rebels this Saturday. Go Dees!
|
Round 4 (Make Up Game): A Day in the
Life
He rose early that day; the night before was a
blur. He began to feel the adrenaline trickling through his veins. This
day was to be special, for Mr. Martin Walter was to coach your beloved
Demons against his past love, the Broadview Hawks. High Park faithful,
they say that a coach and his team are very similar to lovers. The
physical, mental and emotional commitments remind us of the
significance of a lover’s embrace. He remembers a first kiss, the first
touch, that special time when Martin Walter made the Broadview Hawks
his team. The break-up was bitter sweet. Memories of past victories
moved through his mind with lightning speed. He dressed.
The day was spent preparing; line-ups were thought
and re-thought, match-ups were set and his strategy was devised. Ryan
“West Coast“ Martin was back in the side and would provide a solid
option in the ruck. Time crawled by.
The game arrived, an impassioned talk of strategy
and duty was made to his players. They realized the magnitude of the
task before them. The opening bounce saw the Demons take the ball, a
kick inside fifty, a handball to Tyler “OMG“ Charter Cioci and the
young man scored a goal. The decision to put the young man on the half
forward flank proved a good one. The first quarter saw the Demons with
a slight lead.
Christian “The Earth made me move“ Cummings moved
down the flank for most of the game cutting the Hawks apart. The Dees
were
relentless to the ball and moved the footy with skill and pace. The
warm, dry weather helped the Demons play a skilled football game and
the result was thirty shots on goal with over a 50% success rate. Chris
“the C word” Symons played a huge role in shutting down Harley around
the ground. Kevin “Tell me I’m pretty” Toner beat the Hawks left and
right to gain possession and move the ball. Credit to the Hawks for
coming out at the beginning of quarters hard and fighting for the footy
out of the middle, but some undisciplined footy saw two players given
red cards in the fourth. By that time, the Dee’s had already built a
commanding lead.
As the final siren sung its sweet refrain, Marty
sunk to his knees. The smile on his face reflected the hard work and
dedication he has shown to his adopted club. A year ago, the Demons
forfeited to the Walter-led Hawks. This time around, the result was
decidedly different. A past coach called this game "the best win in the
history of the franchise." Exaggeration or not, the Demons owe a great
debt to Marty for his help turning the club around and this game will
be remembered.
Final Score:
Demons 16.14-110, Hawks 9.6-60
|
Round 6: The Hammer is Haunted
Demons faithful, I realize your humble narrator
sometimes takes you on a literary trip down a path that's not always
entirely faithful to the truth. But for the love of High Park, my
brothers and sisters, it is time that we share the entire truth:
Hamilton is haunted. Wait, maybe that's not entirely the correct
terminology... Hamilton is like the Bermuda triangle. A place not of
this Earth. A dimension set apart from ours that you only want to visit
if you are going to Hess village on a Saturday night—one that you want
to be whisked away from as quickly as possible early on Sunday morning
(preferably before she wakes up... Hamilton, like its women, is not as
pleasant in the daytime.)
Why is the Hammer a place of supernatural wonders?
Why is Hamilton sort of like the island in Lost only you wish they'd
never find it again? Well my friends, the answer lies in the both the
magical creatures that live there and the result of our game this past
Saturday. First, let me tell you about the land of the little people.
When the game began on Saturday, the centre square was filled with
these fantastic midgets from places unknown (actually some were
Australian). Magical little people that although they didn't look like
they could control the game, charmed the ball into their hands and ran
out of the square with the majority of the possessions. Credit to the
little people (we'll call them Winky, Blinky and Digits) for some
superb centre play.
And what of the powerful Demons you ask? What of
the saviours of High Park and the reason the High Park faithful get up
in the morning? Well, that is the second piece of magic around the
Hamilton ground. The cauldron at the centre of the oval was a bit of a
question mark before the game, and a curse was clearly set on the High
Park players that even the love of our adoring fans could not beset.
The curse resulted in the High Park faithful forgetting their game at
the side of the field.
The first quarter was even as the Demons were
pushing and the Cats were pushing back. The second quarter brought a
different story. The mighty Dees were unable to get hand to ball and
make a play. The curse was at work, and despite their hard work, the
Demons failed to win the football. Unfortunately, that was the story of
the day. The Cats marked a strong footy and the Demons were hard
pressed to link plays together. A fantastic first game was played by
Deshaun "Triple Threat" Tinglin, and Adam "Shock the Monkey" Fraser had
some fine defensive possessions. Marty "The one part that isn't little
is the only part people don't see" Walter was upset with the loss but
decided to put this one into the memory banks and look forward to next
Saturday when the Eagles come to town.
Final Score: Wildcats 9.14-68, Demons 3.6-24
|
Round 3: DEMONS WIN! DEMONS WIN!
DEMONS WIN!
 Hear
ye! Hear ye!
For those with blood coursing red and blue through their veins, the
mighty Dee’s have warmed your hearts yet again. The High Park faithful
have been rewarded by the efforts of their mighty heroes who have given
blood, sweat and tears to provide a strong win against the dastardly
Swans.
The first quarter started with a blaze of Demon’s
goals. In 30º heat, the Demons left sweat on the field, and would
be dehydrating without the bright green efforts of big Tim “Tiny Timmy”
Thomas running hard alongside with water. Under the Scarborough sun,
the Dee’s defense stood strong and moved the ball smartly through the
wings with big efforts by Jake “the Table Service Snake” Edwards and
Alex “Don’t call me Rookie” Maveal. The end of the first saw the Demons
up a couple of goals.
Second quarter saw a slightly better temperature
and another fluid was flowing: Demon blood. Nick “I 
hats” McLean love
tapped Adam “Need an eyebrow glued?” Fraser with an accidental head
hit. Blood hit the grass. Moments after, the front pocket was the site
of Ed “Silver Fox” Worsfold bleeding from his illustrious and storied
melon. Wearing their head wounds with the pride of Vikings, all three
taped themselves up like mummies, and got back into the game,
intimidating the Swans with the sight of their crimson badges.
The third quarter saw a charge by the Swannies as
they moved the ball down the field and kicked a goal. But the Demons
weren’t finished and rode a huge first game by Charles “Stretch”
Armstrong switching with Dale "Taste The Rainbow" Simnett between the
forward line and the ruck. When asked after the game about his Demons
debut, Charles was quoted as saying “I love singing that f**king song.
It’s a grand ol’ flag, it’s a high flying flag…” The damage was done in
the late third and fourth with goals being kicked by Jake and Christian
"Drink the damn kool aid" Cummings. The Swannies looked up to the final
score and saw a ten goal difference.
After the final whistle, tears were visible in
young Tyler “Conch shells are my hobby” Charter’s eyes as he realized
the magnitude of his first Demons' win. An old sage advised that many
more are coming in his Demons’ career; the same sage then asked if he
wanted to eat some candy in his rusty old van. The older rookies cried
too, but were wise enough to know from experience, not to enter that
van.
The momentum carries to Thursday, Demons!
Coach's votes:
3 votes - Jake Edwards
2 votes - Charles Shaw
1 vote - Chris Symons
Final Score: Mighty Demons 13.3-81, Swans 3.3-21
|
Round 2: Demons Fire Warning Shot
Across the Bow of the League
 High Park
faithful stand up!The heart of every Demon bled red and blue on the
pitch Saturday
afternoon, delivering a scare to all enemies of Demon Nation. Your
humble narrator was privileged to take in a display
of footy prowess that delivered more over two quarters than it did over
four, but the building blocks of a powerhouse were evident in the
results.
After a tremendous first half where newly
developing talents were on display, the Dees hit
targets and got to the front of contests resulting in a three goal lead
at half time. Jake "the Snake" Edwards,
named
more
for
his
late
night
slithering
than
any
discernible
animal
handling
talent,
honoured
his
namesake
by
using
stealth
to
move
into
the
forward
line
and
kick
four
in
the half.
In the second half, the
despicable Dingos—loathed since delivering a knockout playoff punch to
the mighty Dees in 2006—were on their heels (and on the ref) in an
attempt to avoid their fate. The Demons pushed for the
first goal of the third quarter to maintain dominance and ride
towards victory. With Craig Stewart, a Dingo stalwart, kept under
wraps by big Chris Symons, the Dees liked their chances. Unfortunately,
the first possession out of the
centre fell to the Dingos and several minutes of hard hits and
big defensive plays later, the enemy managed a goal.
When queried about the
game, early coach of the year candidate Marty Walter elegantly stated,
"Our players played their nuts off".
The final score favoured
the Dingos. The lack of a big set of hands up front hurt
the Demons, and quarter after quarter of pushing up forward tested the
Demons' legendary fitness. Big games were played by Adam "Three
Fingers or Less" Fraser, Christian
"Crazy
Pants"
Cummings and Gary
"I Like Cake" Eatock. After league pundits picked the Dees to
lose by ten goals, the scare sent to
Dingos proved your Demons are an emerging presence in the OAFL.
Coach's votes:
3 votes - Dale Simnett
2 votes - Jake Edwards
1 vote - Chris Symons
Final Score: Dingos 10.6-66, Demons 6.2-38
|
Jersey Presentation Night - May 6th
Join us Thursday May 6th as we kick off our 2010 Season with our jersey
presentation night at Whelan's Gate Irish Alehouse and Pub (1663 Bloor
Street West). All club members, new recruits and supporters (wives,
girlfriends,
family, friends, etc) are invited out as we introduce our roster and
celebrate another
great season to come of High Park Demons football.
|
Brian Dunkin Cup - May 1st
The OAFL Pre-Season tournament is May 1st at Humber College North. The
Demons play two games with potential for a third final game.
Demons games are:
9:10am VS Central Blues
11:50am VS Broadview Hawks
Finals:
2:30pm 3rd seed VS 4th seed
3:10pm 1st seed VS 2nd seed
Grace
O'Malley's Pub at 14 Duncan Street The Loose Moose Tap &
Grill at 146 Front Street West will host the after party at
6pm. Come out, meet and support your Demons! |
Demons Announce New Head Coach
The High Park Demons A.F.C. is proud to announce
the appointment of Marty Walter as the new head coach for our 2010
season.
From a humble football background playing junior
football in Ballarat,
Australia, Marty brings a wealth of experience to the role. Previously,
Mr. Walter has led the Broadview Hawks A.F.C. from 2006 to 2009. The
highlights being the Hawks run to the 2007 Grand Final with Marty being
named the OAFL Coach of the Year. Marty is currently the President of
the Ontario Australian Football League.
With time running short until the beginning of the
2010 season, The Demons are hoping the
announcement of adding Marty's enthusiasm and experience will aide in a
very successful season.
The goal is nothing less then making the playoffs.
Go Dees!
|
2010 Demons Executive Named
President Dale Simnett
Vice President: Adam Fraser
Social Director: Chris Symons
Recruitment Directors: Ed Worsfold, Chris Symons, Alex Hendrix
Communications: Kevin Wilson
Team Liaison: Mike Dahm
Treasury: Dale Simnett
Fundraising Director: Kevin Toner
|
High Park Demons Season Launch Party
with Winnebagos Of Death
On Saturday, April 24 at 8:30pm the OAFL, the High Park Demons
Australian Football Club will be launching their 2010 season at
Whelan's Gate with one of Toronto's finest up-start musical acts,
Winnebagos Of Death. Most of you are probably willing to pay hundreds
if not thousands of dollars to be a part of such a majestic, historical
event. Lucky for you all this can be yours for the amazingly low price
of $30! An all you can drink event!!!!
We are legendary for our fundraisers. Do not miss this event!
For more information, contact the High Park Demons or check our
Facebook event
page.
|
The High Park Demons are proud to introduce
affiliation with the Harvey Bulls Football Club.
The Demons have had some recruiting success with
the Bulls over the last five seasons with the likes of
Greg Atherton, Shane Flemming, Adam Fraser and Ryan Martin travelling
to the great white north to play with the club.
Club President Dale Simnett is excited about the
inception of the Australian sister club as he hopes
that it will open the doors for both clubs to allow players to travel
and experience the uniqueness of playing this game in a foreign
land. This opportunity will provide the players a first contact when
they land and will offer assistance in the necessities of
accommodation, work and transport.
Harvey is an amazing town roughly 140km south of
Perth, Western Australia. With the
beautiful Indian Ocean to the west, Harvey would be best described as
quaint rural town that offers plenty. Work opportunities are of
abundance at the moment with the current mining boom in Western
Australia making this an ideal time to make the trip down under.
Harvey Bulls Club President Michael "Beaver"
Zappia a local legend for more of his off
field antics than on has ensured that anybody making the transition
will be welcomed into this charming community. If you are
interested in making the trip south please contact Beaver at mnzappia@westnet.com.au.
Atherton, Flemming, Fraser and Martin joined the
Demons in 2005 intending to play one
season for the club however enjoyed it so much they all stayed on an
extra year. The Demons provided all players with work
opportunities and lodging when they arrived. Martin who eventually
played three years for the club said "When we landed we
were a little nervous however the guys at the Demons were amazing in
helping us find our feet. It was definitely the most amazing three
years of my life".
Chris Symons the Recruitment Manager has also
ensured that new players landing will
receive this same treatment. If you are interested in travelling and
would like to play Australian Rules in the Northern
hemisphere or would just like to know about the opportunities with the
Demons please contact Adam Fraser at adamfraser12@yahoo.com.au.
It
offers
to
be
an
exciting
year
for
the
Demons
with
heavy
recruiting
being
done
in
the
off
season
we
are
excited
about
2010
being
one
to
remember.
|
High Park Demons Celebrate
Oktoberfest 2009
Eins, Zwei, Drei... DRINK!
For those that don't know, the Demons constantly seek to become a more
cultured club; to move beyond football and improve ourselves as members
of a multicultural community. Last year provided a stunning example of
French culture as observed from the pubs, clubs and casino's around
Montreal.
This year we decided to move further east and investigate the cultural
habits of the German people. So what better place to go than New Berlin
(to the lay person, that would be Kitchener, Ontario). To celebrate in
the most sacred of festivals, Oktoberfest. A traditional German
ceremony which only acknowledges the most noble of past times: Polka,
Sauerkraut and Beer.
From the heart of a hockey arena turned bier hall, thirty Demons and
their supporters discovered that cement floors and spilly drinkers lead
to five star wipe outs, the Germans created the first Kindergarten, and
German bouncers have no sympathy when you try to reasonably discuss
that you have a mild case of vertigo whenever you are above sea level.
It was an experience of discovery and we feel enriched because of it.
Next year, potential cultural studies may include: the Irish in Boston,
the Scottish in New Scotland (Nova Scotia) or our neighbours the
Americans.
|
September 25th: High Park Demons
Present the 2009 AFL Grand Final
Watch the St. Kilda Saints take on the Geelong Cats for the right to be
called the 2009 AFL Premiers! The party starts at 10PM and will
continue till the 2009 AFL Premiers are crowned.
Whelan's Gate Irish Pub is hosting the event and is located at 1663
Bloor
Street West, Toronto, Ontario. The pub is just west of the High
Park/Bloor West & Keele Street area.
Cover is $10 at the door and proceeds go to support the High Park
Demons A.F.C.
Contact The High Park Demons
for more information.
|
Demons Alumni Party - A celebration
of 20 years of Mustangs/Demons footy!
After our Round 10 game against the Ottawa Swans on August 8th, the
High Park Demons will be hosting a night of honour to our members and
supporters over the past 20 years.
The party will be hosted at our sponsor pub Whelan's Gate at 1663 Bloor
Street West, Toronto, Ontario. The pub is just west of the High
Park/Bloor West & Keele Street area.
Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Your ticket will include:
- Beer and Discounted Mixed Drinks
- Food
- Door Prizes
Contact The High Park Demons
to get your tickets fast, because once they are gone we cannot issue
more.
|
Round 9 - Demons lose the match that
almost wasn't
The High Park Demons travelled west to Guelph to
take on
the Gargoyles in Round 9. With the Gargoyles coming off a big win
against Hamilton in Round 8 and the Demons looking to end their five
round loss streak, Round 9 looked promising for both sides. As 2PM
rolled closer, no OAFL umpire had reported and everyone pulled out a
cell phone to see if the league had forgotten about the game. By 3PM,
the Demons and Gargoyles decided to soldier on without a league
official and a quickened game of fifteen minute quarters.
The score was tight during the first quarter with
the
Demons holding their own. From the second and third quarters,
frustrations started to boil on the side of The Red and Blue as Guelph
pulled ahead even farther. In the forth quarter, the Demons pulled
together for one last attempt, but it was too late. Gargoyles win
11.7.73 to the Demons 4.3.27.
Following the game, bruised egos were repaired
with a
keg of beer and partying in Whitby hosted by Kevin "Tone Loc" Toner.
With spirits higher, the Dees are looking forward Round 10's match
against the visiting Ottawa Swans and the following Mustangs/Demons
Alumni Party hosted at our sponsor pub Whelan's Gate.
|
Round 3 - Its winning time. Dees win
a big one vs. the Rebels
 A motivated and hungry Demons
squad showed up at Humber North with barely a full team, but with the
return of Adam Fraser from his gallivanting in Australia, spirits were
high. The OAFL Phantom had the team ready to prove the naysayers wrong
as the whole talk of "Expect to see High Park arrive at the
grounds with beach towels and towing boats behind their pick ups as
they stop into Humber North on their way to Muskoka. Rebels by 8 goals"
got
everyone
a
bit
riled
up.
Thank
you
Phantom!
The first quarter saw the Demons get
a quick goal, which was huge for the confidence of the rookies, who
have
seen little in the way of winning ways over the last 2 games. With some
back and forth, the first quarter saw the Demons and Rebels looking
very even. The second quarter saw the rebels regain some composure, and
kicked several goals, vs the Demons one. The contest was still quite
even.
The 3rd quarter saw the Demons come
back and regain a little bit of momentum. With some fine play by new
rookie
Aussie Andrew Norville (who I believe played his first game of footy
ever, being a New South Welshman), the Demons managed to reduce the
Rebels lead to just one goal going into the 4th. The 4th quarter saw
the Demons come out firing, with some motivating talk and the
realization that the game could be won.
Some great rucking by floppy, great
movement by Shane Boyd and the lads, and containing defence, the Demons
pulled it off. Final score Demons 9-10-64 to Rebels 8-7-55.
For more pics of Round 3 - click here
|
Round 2 - Demons get pounced on by
the Cats
An undermanned Demons squad got a
schooling
from the boys from the Hammer. Down 18 vs 17 players the whole game
(with a 2 man disadvantage for a while thanks to angry Kevin), the
Demons were outclassed on the field by a physical Hamilton Wildcats
squad. Time to lick our wounds and move on.
|
Welcome to the High Park Demons Australian Rules
Football Club.
We are one of the founding clubs of the Ontario
Australian Football League (OAFL), established in 1989. We welcome any
ex-pat Australians, or novice players to be a part of our club and have
a kick, have some fun, and be part of a amazing team.
If you are interested in playing or just would
like more information, email
us
today.
|
Demons Facebook Group
Join the Demons Facebook Group
and keep up to date with activities and practices for the 2009 season.
 |
|
