Coming off the bye week, the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club took to the road to challenge the Toronto Downtown Dingoes in Round 3 of the Ontario Australian Football League. Travelling in short numbers, the Swans looked to put their best foot forward against a much-experienced side that had begun the season 1-1 and were looking to move up the crowded OAFL ladder.
With no interchange on a hot summer day, the Swans recognized an uphill battle ahead. Player-coach Chris MacLean underscored from the opening bounce the importance of smart, controlled football and an emphasis on defensive posturing. With 2012 returnee Alec Campbell securing the backline, the Swans were well suited to douse the attack of the Dingoes and were largely successful through the first quarter. Veterans Mike Beall and Jake Plunkett-Latimer prove worthy on the flanks as they were continually tested throughout the day.
Having gone down a player due to injury by the second quarter, the Swans were again called upon to strategically move the ball around the ground; limiting opportunities for the opposition and maintaining across the field. The Swans were able to mount pressure in the second as Paul McCosh proved a force across the centre of the ground. Chris MacLean, playing out of the halfback line, presented often and consistently won the ball, delivering to teammates superbly. Unfortunately, these efforts were deflected by the home side and the Swans remained scoreless at the half.
Following the long break, the Swans held their competitive spirit and were determined to run out the final stanzas. Darren Roffey again put in an unmatched effort, as he racked up possessions, disposals and patrolled the centre with vigour. Not to be outdone, Mike Kozlowski continued his strong showing in the halfback line, taking numerous contested marks against the opposition’s best. The Swans were able to mount an attack in spurts thanks to the hard leads of Marc Magierowicz, while the defensive corps held their own, limiting the Dingoes to just 2 goals, 2 behinds.
By the fourth, the numbers began to catch up on the Swans and the Dingoes proved too much; attacking the goals often and effectively. While the effort remained, the Swans were unable to conjure any forward momentum on the wide expanses of the Humber south grounds and the Dingoes ran away easy winners on the day. Assistant Coach Marc Magierowicz applauded the effort from both sides: “Certainly give the Dingoes credit, they were executed an effective game plan. Constantly switching the fields and attacking hard through the middle ran our team ragged. It was a great effort by our boys, but we have a lot of work at practice going forward.”
The Swans return to Toronto next Saturday, 2nd June to take on the Broadview Hawks at 2pm.
Ottawa Swans 0.2 (2) defeated by Toronto Downtown Dingoes 11.15 (81).
Best: Mike Kozlowski, Paul McCosh, Jay Goldhawk, Darren Roffey, Mike Beall
Last Modified on 30/05/2012 01:33