The Seven Year Itch
A bit of historic perspective on the 2016 CAFL Grand Final.
For those who came in late....
A bit of historic perspective on the 2016 CAFL Grand Final.
The University Cougars were created in the early 2000's by Crabby hence the line in the club song a crab-a-dab-a-do. The Cougars were a power force in the mid 2000's with Fitz at the helm and Rocket leading the charge. Players like Frank the Tank, Champs, Kizza, Trash, Taxi, Big Dave, Dozer and Tanders ruled the roost; winning the flag in 2005-2006. Cougars Corner at the Craic in Riccarton Rd saw plenty of action in those days and the friendly Aussie Bar owner was always rehydrating the team after games and training. The salty chips were good for cramp as well.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs were a part-time team and illegitimate offspring of the Cougars with players like Becky, Humey, Javier, Sloth, Hastings and Alan Monk, Langers and Christmas losing most games. So in 2006 with the help of Langers and Lachlan Keating they decided to go legit and won one game in 2007 against the Eagles.
Everyone laughed when they sang the club song with “the bulldogs will be Premiers just you wait and see….” It sounded like a Tui ad.
In 2008 they beat the Cougars once and won the wooden spoon final against the Eagles. Things were on the up.
In 2009 with strong recruiting in the off season the Bulldogs threw off the little brother shackle and blew the more fancied clubs off the field with strong wins every game. 10 out of 10 and marched into the Grand final.
Even with club champions Bradley, Harvey, Bowden, Ballsy and Marsden the long time champions the Eastern Blues were defeated by the Cougars in the Semi Final 75-64 and therefore for the first time in 10 years were not in the finals.
The 2009 Grand Final was the Showdown. The Big Brother V the little upstart brother and there was nowhere to hide because that final was ferocious. After all who wants to be beaten by their little brother.
For the Cougars Neil De Joux was the lynch pin through the middle with star performances from Justin Clarke who went onto represent NZ and still plays in Melbourne, Kieran Rae, Swifty, Roughan and Jamie Day kicking a bag. Dozer tried slowing Harry down by shirt fronting him and breaking three ribs. Harry got a free kick and slotted a goal 45 out on the 45 degrees. De Cuevas was in that final and was hard to stop on the burst from the box – I should know I was on him. Laced out - arms stretched - I had no hope
The Bulldogs had the likes of new talent The Doc Kilday, Nicki Dow, Nicky Dow, Nicky Dow (R.I.P). van Gruting, Harry at 52. the high flyer in more ways than one Chris Stevens, Howie and the young pups Jakey, Jimmy, Tommy and Hardings x 3. Of course the old firm (as mentioned above) were there to steer the ship and some good old quarter time rarking up. They even ran through a banner.
Passions ran high as both teams belted each other till the end on the heavy Westminster turf. Stevens was sent off for umpire abuse and the Doggies struggled through the last quarter with 17.
With the final siren blast emotions boiled over and there was a pitch invasion from supporters and the hobbling wounded including Zac, Zoots and Sterne.
Final Score read the University Cougars 6 4 40 to the Christchurch Bulldogs 11 6 72
Last Modified on 11/08/2017 14:21