It was truly a match never in doubt, as the Etobicoke Kangaroos stormed the Rideau Carleton Raceway confines and overran the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club, with a dominant display of football in Round 9 of the Ontario Australian Football League.
In soaring tempuratures, the Swans were once again hoping to capitalize on their home ground advantage and propel themselves to an early start. The Roos, however, had other ideas and found the goals from the onset. Morgan Whyte battled fiercely in the ruck throughout the day for the Swans and was a constant winner in hit-outs around the ground. Followers Jay Goldhawk and Lachlan Trumble disposed well into the forward line, only to be stonewalled by a formidable defensive corp.
At the other end of the ground, the Swans’ backline was challenged early and often. Jake Plunkett-Latimer was charged with a tagging role almost immediately and stood valiantly. However, the skill and precious of the Roos would come to the forefront and prove too much as they found multiple targets downfield. While the effort of the Ottawa defense was commendable, the team from Etobicoke would kick truly and find themselves well out in front at the halftime siren.
Head Coach Chris MacLean, seeking to inspire the home side, called on all players to elevate their intensity for the premiership quarter and continue to challenge each and every contest across the ground. “We held strong defensively in the 2nd quarter and were able to move the ball around the ground with purpose. Too many turnovers and missed assignments against a quality side add up quickly on the scoreboard.”
With nothing to lose, the Swans ran out another hard 40 minutes of football. Alec Campbell and Pete Fisher were strong through the backline and were relentless in their attack of the ball. Andrew Wilson, in his début for the Swans, was a bright spot in the half-forward line, along with Sean Smallwood, who led strongly and battled hard in the contest. However, in the end, it was the visiting side, hungry to reclaim first place on the league ladder, that would come away victors on the day.
After the game, Assistant Coach Marc Magierowicz reflected on the match and development of the Ottawa squad; “We were in tough from the opening bounce today. There’s a reason the Roos have been at the top of the league the last two years running and we simply didn’t have the experience to keep up today. We’re a strong club; we’ll learn from this and bounce back, ready to go next week.”
The Ottawa Swans will be back in action next week, as they take on the Toronto Rebels in a re-match of Round 1. Game time is 2pm at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Best: Morgan Whyte, Jake Plunkett-Latimer, Alec Campbell, Bogdan Rotaru, Lachlan Trumble
Last Modified on 18/07/2012 00:43