Photo Credit: Boris Terzic (album)
The Toronto Dingos football club turned 25 years old in 2021. Yet after 25 years of playing footy in Ontario from the outset we knew that 2021 would be one of the toughest years we have ever faced as a club and as a league.
As we all learned together what living in the midst of a global pandemic meant for us, it was incredibly hard to foresee what our season might look like, when we might be able to prepare for it, or whether any footy would be played at all for that matter. In 2020 no football was played at all in Ontario, aside from some training events held in the brief windows where restrictions allowed for them, and while all had high hopes of hitting the park in 2021 the closer we got the further way this likelihood seemed.
In the end circumstances allowed AFL Ontario, and the clubs that make up its membership, were able to put together a short, informal, season comprising 5 weekends of games across August and September including a bye for clubs to make the schedule work. Not all clubs were able to participate, though those that didn’t frequently sent players to top up teams that were short on any given weekend, and the quality of the footy was even more variable than it usually is in Canada. Games were played with shortened numbers where were required, and even the smaller field where it made sense, but nonetheless it was without question that against the global backdrop all involved were just excited to get out on the field and have a kick.
While we ourselves had challenges making 18 on any given weekend, across the four games the Dingos participated in we were able to field some 36 players including a mix of old hands and first timers. In particular we would like to congratulate Alex Sherger, Hugh Barry, Liam Terry, Ben Infram, Cameron Lefcourt, Ciaran Buckley, Tommy O’Sullivan, and Andre Hyatt on getting their first taste of Dingos footy.
The shortened season created challenges for a number of clubs which required flexibility from all involved as the schedule was adjusted as needed to ensure as much footy was played as possible in the limited weeks available. In the end the Dingos played four games, with results as follows:
|
W
|
Toronto Dingos
6-2-38
|
Toronto Rebels
4-9-33
|
|
W
|
Toronto Dingos
14-13-97
|
Central Blues
3-3-21
|
|
L
|
Toronto Dingos
3-3-21
|
Toronto Rebels
13-10-88
|
|
W
|
Toronto Dingos
20-8-126
|
High Park Demons
4-1-25
|
While some results might appear lopsided on paper it was great to see that despite limited new international arrivals all clubs were still able to field rookies in 2021 and give them their first taste of Aussie rules. Hopefully all can carry this momentum through to 2022 so that we can successfully return to a more regular AFL Ontario season.
Following the season a core group of 12 lads took to the streets of Montreal for the traditional end of year footy trip, some say their VIA rail train is still stuck somewhere around Coburg but as they say what happens on the footy trip stays on the footy trip.
Finally the past and present players gathered at The Walrus Pub and Beer Hall to celebrate “a very Dingo Christmas” which saw a great turnout and some very festive attire! The Dingos would like to thank Donnelly Group for their continued support of the club through such trying times and we look to hosting another one of our famous AFL Grand Final parties at The Walrus in the future!
With 2022 well underway we are focused on playing a “normal” season of AFL Ontario footy from May to September. If you have ever wanted to learn a new sport or dust off some cobwebs now is the time, contact recruiting@torontodingos.com today!
Steve “Gordo” Gordon
President, Toronto Dingos Football Club
Last Modified on 16/02/2022 14:35
