The Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club returned to action at the Rideau Carleton Raceway for an encounter with the Toronto Downtown Dingoes in Ontario Australian Football League action. The Swans, looking to end their season on a high note, were prepared for a battle as the Toronto club looks to challenge for the final place in the finals series this September. Under cool, breezy conditions, both clubs played an aggressive, intense style of football, much to the enjoyment of the packed grandstands.
In the onset, both teams were hard at the football and were persistent in the contest. The wicked winds of the Raceway were once again evident, playing havoc with the attack from both ends. While the Dingoes had several opportunities in the opening stanza, the pressure applied by fullback Alec Campbell kept the score in check. Meanwhile, the hard work of the forward line, anchored by Sean Smallwood, Paul Fairbrother and Mike Kozlowski, brought the Swans back into striking distance in a low scoring quarter.
Captain Darren Roffey once again emerged as a consummate presence around the ground. Playing in his favoured centre position, Roffey took several contested marks in the opening half and was a source of great frustration for the resurgent Dingoes in the second. Once again, the home team’s backline was called upon to repel the attack. Hard running off the halfback line by Ronan Shaughnessy and solid defending from Tyler MacLellan helped solidify the Swans defensive corps, but the Dingoes would find their range and kick truly by the end of the quarter.
At the half, the Swans were inspired by veteran club leader Yaser Abou Elenein; “The guys had dropped a bit in the second and I knew we were capable of much more. We needed a reminder going into the premiership quarter that we all need to want the ball and attack each and every contest accordingly.” The Swans were happy to oblige and the intensity of the third was a marked improvement. Many hard battles through the centre of the ground saw veterans Dave Martin and Pete Fisher excel, as they found space, take on would-be tacklers and delivered. The quarter was the beginning of, what would be, several contested marks by Kozlowski and Smallwood, who were dominant in the second half up front.
With a solid effort, but few results on the scoreboard, the Swans were resigned to once again run out a final 20 minutes. The intensity resumed and as play tightened, tempers began to flare, often at the cost of the Swans. With several penalties given away throughout the match, the Swans would find this to be their great undoing, despite a strong fourth quarter. With goals coming in flurries, the Ottawa club narrowed the gap, but ultimately, too little, too late, losing by a final score 75-35.
The Swans play their final home game of the season next Saturday, 25 August at the Rideau Carleton Raceway at 2pm.
Swans 5.5 (35) defeated by Toronto Downtown Dingoes 11.9 (75)
Photo credit: Ray Kaduck
Last Modified on 27/08/2012 10:26