Accompanying photo by Rob Colburn
Both Ottawa Swans mens and ladies teams fell in their first round games at Humber South in Toronto on May 25.
The men faced the Toronto Eagles for their first game of the season. Missing several key players, the men looked to veteran Mike Kozlowski to lead by example with a number of new recruits donning the Swans jersey for the first time.
The Eagles really got going in the second quarter when they scored five goals.
Men’s head coach Rod Frank saw lots of areas for improvement in the early season game, but several encouraging plays as well.
Frank said he was impressed with rookie ruckman Jack Beardmore, and is keen to see how he develops throughout the season. He was also impressed with play making by Cam Dodge, in his first full season, on the wing.
“Well done to the back line for sticking to the task with the ball coming down so often,” he said. With a light interchange, the back and mid-field players were running all day.
“It’s an 80 minute game, and they all ran it out and never stopped trying,” Frank said. “Fantastic effort from each player in this regard.”
Coach Frank said he’s looking to learn from the negatives in the mistake and improve on them in training before the round two match up.
Goals were scored by Mike Kozlowski (2) and Cameron Dodge.
Best on field were Cameron Dodge, Ronan Shaughnessy, Chris Lockhart, Jack Beardmore and Mike Kozlowski.
Final score Eagles 12.14 (86) to Swans 3.2 (20).
The men next play at home on June 1 at the Rideau Carleton Raceway against the Broadview Hawks.
On the women’s side, the Swans faced the Roos.
Having beat the Roos the previous year, it was a strong reminder to the ladies that recruiting is a major part of the off-season, and not to expect the same teams they faced in 2012.
The girls were off to a slower start, with the Roos up with five goals in the first half.
They attacked the second half of the game, outscoring the Roos 19 to 9, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. Once the girls found their groove, strong play in the back line to Cat Geci helped veteran player Emma Dickinson move the ball up the field to the forward line.
It was the first Ontario AFL game for several new Swans who began training with the team in the off season.
Goals were scored by Emma Dickinson (2) and Amanda Paradis.
Best on field were Tara Cools-Lartigue, Megan Haycock, Amanda Paradis, Catherine Geci and Emma Dickinson.
Last Modified on 11/06/2014 23:42