The Swans took this year’s Canada Day Cup match 18.12.120 over the Grand River Gargoyles 2.4.16.
Don’t let the score trick you into thinking that the Gargoyles were not very good, they came out strong and got the first goal of the game. For the first part of the game it appeared that the opposition wanted it more. They worked hard and their determination saw them winning the football out of the gate. The Swans needed to get hungry…and they did. They capitalized on scoring shots and had a much better ratio of goals to misses. Despite the score the defensive line was active, with brilliant clearances by Mike “Fingers” Beall and Luke Coady. The efforts in the back led to scoring chances up the field as the Swans transitioned the ball well through the middle. Strong physical play by Blair “Sauce” Oliver at center half forward got the ball to the front line, where the forwards made great shots for goals.
“Football is made up of moments and memories that you share with your teammates, and for those that were in the team, and celebrated on the night out, the team picture of the 2016 Canada Cup will always be remembered as a great day in our clubs history” Coach Rod Frank
The Canada Day Cup was the idea of the original Swans Board of Directors during the Swans 2007 exhibition season as part of an effort to add some significance to the games. On July 1st, 2007 the Swans beat the Central Blues in Ottawa to claim the very first Canada Day Cup. In 2008, AFL Ontario made the game a permanent fixture of the regular season schedule, and the Gargoyles became the opponent. After losing last year, Ottawa is happy to have the Cup back.
Both teams have the weekend off for Canada Day before resuming play. The men will take on the Dingo’s on July 9th at home, the Swans are looking to reverse the outcome from Round 1 (Dingo win). The next day the ladies are in Montreal, where the Shamrocks and Warriors have games in the AFL Quebec league.
Last Modified on 30/06/2016 00:25