World Footy News

The 2005 Ontario AFL premiership has been decided, with minor premiers the Toronto Downtown Dingos going on to win the Grand Final over finals surprise Lakeshore. It would have been a fairytale finish for the Rebels, who came from 5th on the ladder to challenge for the flag. In the Preliminary Final they knocked off traditional powerhouse the Toronto Eagles 70 points to 37, after having beaten Etobicoke by less than a goal the week before. That knocked Etobicoke out of the finals, with successive losses of less than one straight kick. The Dingos' path to the premiership decider was easier, with a bye for finishing top then a win then another week's rest. However the Dingos' victory over the Eagles was by just 7 points, so Lakeshore had every reason to think they were a chance of an upset in the Grand Final, and it certainly went down to the wire.

The Rebels took it up to the Dingos and were keen to defeat them for the second time this year, being the only club to take a game off the Dingos this season. As is often the case in grand finals, the game was tight and low scoring, with neither team giving an inch. As they say, bad kicking is bad football and the Dingos almost blew the match as they peppered away for little return. So often the opposition then get a chance and kick truly to threaten an upset, but Lakeshore couldn't get much result on the board either. The scores remained surprisingly low for fine conditions and in the end Toronto Downtown were victors by 8 points in a well deserved finish to a dominant season. That gives them 3 Conacher Cups in a row and continues a trend seen in other international leagues where clubs have tended to win several titles on end. In 2006 the Dingos will be aiming to match the record of the other dominant North American dogs, Denver, who recently won their 4th successive title at the USAFL Nationals. It would be a great test for both sides if a contest could be arranged. There has also been talk of a Canadian Nationals or interprovincial championships. Perhaps the move of Vancouver to compete at the US Nationals will spur such developments.

Final scores

Toronto Downtown Dingos 2.13 (25)
Lakeshore Rebels 2.5 (17)

Goals

Toronto Dingos: Glen Fowler, Jamie Prescott
Lakeshore: Kevin Duffy, Jonathan McCarthy

Check out the OAFL website for a full match report, and AFL Canada which features an attempt at a huge "speckie" (spectacular mark) from an earlier match.