Like most of the rest of the East, Hamilton is a phoenix rising from the ashes: after a terrible start, the Tiger-Cats did a sharp about-face and took on all comers after Labour Day. Their record after that point was 8-3, including wins over Saskatchewan, Edmonton, and B.C.
But the defining game of Hamilton’s season was their 29-15 drubbing of Montreal in the last game on the schedule. Montreal had already secured a playoff berth; Hamilton was facing elimination, or second place in the East if they won by fewer than eight points. They came out strong in every part of the field, and played one of their best games of the year. Now they need to repeat the performance, against a Montreal squad energized by a lopsided defeat of the B.C. Lions.
Will Hamilton keep its winning form in Tim Hortons Fortress? Or will Montreal tip the scales back in their favour? The CFL East Division Final for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is broken down below.
Offence
The Tiger-Cats offence won’t be the turnover machine that Montreal faced last week. Between quarterback Zach Collaros’s mobility and his accuracy on the run; Nic Grigsby finally giving the Cats a solid threat on the ground; and Luke Tasker and the reliable Bakari Grant hauling in passes; the Ticats offence is an all-round affair that is flexible enough to exploit weaknesses in their opponents wherever they might appear.
But the big news this week is the possible return of Andy Fantuz. While Fantuz nursed a hamstring injury, the Cats were without a legitimate long-yardage threat; if he’s running downfield against Montreal, their secondary will be stretched to the limit. With options for short, middle, and long yardage passes, Collaros will have a better day ahead of him than he’s seen for a long time.
Defence
When Rico Murray moved from linebacker to halfback this season, it took a while before he looked comfortable in the role. But after picking off five interceptions, and effectively shutting down plays all over the field, he is among the most feared backs in the league. Meanwhile defensive end Eric Norwood, when he’s hot, slices through offensive lines and puts pressure on the quarterback like the best in the league. Craig Butler as a non-import safety has also put his stamp on the secondary in the latter part of the league.
The Ticats has a surprisingly stingy defence, though, which longtime Hamilton fans are not used to. A porous run defence was almost a habit in the old Ivor Wynne; this year, though, they’ve led the league in running yards against, and their secondary has calmed down in the second half of the season as well. With a wet field and some question marks over Montreal’s backfield, a defensive battle will almost certainly tip in Hamilton’s favour.
Special Teams
Justin Medlock has a decent leg when the ball is on a tee, but splitting the punting and place-kicking duties has led to poor field position too often. Medlock seems unable to boot the ball out of bounds beyond the 20 yard line, a skill that is now a key weapon in any punter’s arsenal in the CFL.
But what Medlock loses in punting range, the cover and return crew more than make up. Hamilton led the league in return yardage and was the stingiest team in return yardage given; their average starting position, at their 38 yard line, was also the best in the league. With the fleet-footed Brandon Banks and Terrell Sinkfield running kicks back, the Ticats’ special teams have a clear edge not only on Montreal, but on the whole league.
Coaching
He’s been here before, as recently as last year. Kent Austin rubs almost everyone the wrong way with his brash, explosive personality – which is a nice way to say no one likes him much. Except this team, which has gelled into a solid football machine under his leadership. Austin is backed up by a group of competent coaches, including Orlondo Steinauer, who has apparently been short-listed as the replacement coach for the B.C. Lions.
But in the last week, the influence of the coaching has been clear. Montreal players have been needling and baiting the Ticats in the press and on Twitter, but the Hamilton players have stayed remarkably silent, not responding. Austin claimed this week that “it’s just the way they’re wired”; it’s probably more the way the team has come together. They’re looking for another crack at the Grey Cup, and under Austin’s coaching staff, they look ready to take their place in the final.
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