World Footy News

The Etobicoke Kangaroos Australian Football Club based in Toronto have established themselves as a local powerhouse after becoming AFL Ontario Premiers in 2 of their 3 Grand Finals they participated in recently.

Their Division 1 and 2 teams are 2011 AFL Ontario Premiers while their Women’s team are Runners Up in their inaugural season. The Kangaroos are the 1st club to have all 3 teams in Grand Finals in the same year.

This is Etobicoke's 2nd Division 1 Premiership after winning in 2008, while the Division 2 team clinched their 1st Premiership.

Below are the game write ups for each Grand Final, admittedly from an Etobicoke perspective.

Div 1 - 2011 AFL ONTARIO PREMIERSHIP - Etobicoke vs High Park

The Etobicoke Kangaroos Division 1 team have won their 2nd AFL Ontario Premiership with a 50 point win over the High Park Demons in the main game on Saturday 24th September. Looking to right the "wrongs" off previous years where the Kangaroos had been 1 for 4 in past Grand Finals a warm sunny day following the down pours of Friday greeted both teams. A tough and physical grand final was forecast by all around the AFL Ontario community with the 'Roos being the dominate force all year and the High Park Demons making their 1st trip to the Big Dance since way back in the early 90's.

The demons got off to a good start getting the ball into their forward line where Hayden Walters goaled. The 'Roos hit back quickly after a great 2nd effort from Bobby Sears earned him a free kick and he goaled from the angle about 25 metres out. The Demons hit back with another to Hayden Walters with the 'Roos again earning a free kick to Jason Robinson who kick straight from right in front. More poor defensive from the demons as they gave up another free kick this time to Justin Harris who goaled with 3 minutes left in the quarter from right in front and the 'Roos had a 6 point lead at the 1st break.

The 2nd term was dire struggle for the 1st 12 minutes with both the midfield and defenses working hard to get on top. The 'Roos backline of Long, Boyce, Connell, Chambers, Bridson and Jacobs were up to the challenge as the repelled every opportunity that was presented to the Demons forwards holding them to 2 points for the 20 minutes of effort the Demons exerted. At the other end Jack Morwood was on the end of another free and he kicked straight after 12 minutes and when Justin Harris found the big sticks on the run for his 2nd at 17 minutes the run of 4 goals from free kicks had been broken. The 'Roos going into the long break with handy 19 point lead.

The 'Roos retreated to the shade of the trees for the long break where the clubs suspended Captain Adam Paterson and injured Center Half Forward Travis McKenzie could join their teammates. Coach Chris Miall  re-enforced the disciplines practiced over 16 weeks so that the 'Roos would not become complacent going into the 3rd quarter.

The first 10 minutes were again an arm wrestle with the ball flipping from backlines to forward lines with sides looking for the break. The 'Roos looking to break the Demons spirits with the 1st goal of the term and the Demons looking to break the goal drought that stretched back to the 10 minute mark of the 1st quarter.

The break came the way of the 'Roos at the 11 minute mark when what can only be described as a cowardly hit from Team Canada/Demons Captain Dale Simnett on veteran Dave Tumber resulted in a yellow card send off for Simnett. As Tumber finally got to his feet to compose himself the resulting 50 metre relayed free kick down the ground went to Oliver Tummel who with his trusty right foot kicked from the 50 metre arch and found the back of the trees to send the 'Roos pro crowd into delirious rapture. Boy, did the 'Roos crowd let the Demons Captain know that his cheap shot had basically left the Demons on the floor and Runners up for the 2011 season. Sneaky forward Jason Robinson was found on his own from a pass from Dusty Allen and he goaled from tight angle to give the 'Roos a 31 point lead at 3/4 time.

A 6 goal lead going into any Grand Final should be enough but the 'Roos thru Chet Long who was stand in Captain asked his players for another 20 minutes of effort which was nothing after 16 weeks. Everyone knew that if the 'Roos kicked the 1st goal the Demons were done. In what can only be described as the Andrew Hogan show or Hogan the Hero was just that, as he goaled on the run and from 2 marks. Each time from the 50 metre line sending long bombs thru the middle each time. The 'Roos running out comfortable winners by 50 points.

Looking back on the game the job done by the 'Roos backline which allowed only 4 points fro the 10 minute mark of the game was heroic. Each time the set up attack's fought hard to give their midfield a rest allowing the midfield to get on top and drive the ball into the forward line where they took every opportunity that came their way. All in all it was a very well balanced effort from player #1 thru to player #24 that brought home the club's 2nd premiership in style.

 

Quarter By Quarter  
           Etobicoke           High Park
1st:        3.1.19             2.1.13
2nd:       5.4.34             2.3.15
3rd:        7.5.47             2.4.16
Final:     10.7.67            2.5.17

Best Players: Justin Harris, Andrew Hogan, Chet Long, Brett Connell, Jason Robinson, 
Jack Morwood, Mike Langner
Goalkickers: Andrew Hogan 3, Jason Robinson 2, Justin Harris 2, Oliver Tummel 1,
Robert Sears 1, Jack Morwood 1.

Etobicoke's Weekly Award Winners:
Wolf Blass - Gift Pack: Justin Harris
Jack Astors Bar & Grill - Gift Voucher: Andrew Hogan & Chet Long
Cool Beer - 2 x 6 Gift Pack: Mike Langner & Jason Robinson
Pizza Pizza - 1%er Free Large Pizza: Brett Connell

 
 

Div 2 - 2011 AFL ONTARIO PREMIERSHIP - Etobicoke vs Broadview

The 'Roos had their full complement of 23 players available for the big game and with some big "ins" for the Grand Final were looking to flip the result from 3 weeks ago. The match up in the middle was what was going to swing the game the 'Roos way with Barras, Matata, Hill and Lanctin given some tough assignments but expected to get it done. A tight 1st quarter as both teams looked to find a recipe for victory with the only goal for the 'Roos coming from Phil Russo as they eked out a 2 point lead.

The 'Roos coach Greg Everett implored his players to keep moving and run, run, run as the fitness of his players would tire out the Hawks. The backline lead by veteran Nick McKinley, Emile Studham, Al Jones and the youngster Riyad Karacic got on top holding the Hawks to a solitary goal. Mean while when the ball went into the forward line they didn't disappoint as Everett, Russo x 2 and Adam Curtis all kicked goals to get the "Roos out to a lead of 20 points at the long break.

The 3rd quarter is known as the "Premiership Quarter" where teams can set up the victory and break the spirit of the chasing team. The 'Roos did just that and went about it in great fashion with the midfield now on top and getting many possessions and providing the forward line great chances. More goals came from Russo, Everett, Hooey, Hill and Lanctin as they jumped out to a 47 point lead.

The last quarter started with coach Everett imploring his charges to maintain the intensity and the boys did just that for 5 minutes, then with the game sealed the bench coaches made it possible for all players to get a feel for playing in a Premiership. The 'Roos finishing the victor by 28 points claiming their 1st Div 2 Premiership.

Quarter By Quarter Scores         

Etobicoke            Broadview
1st:       1.3.9                  1.1.7
2nd:      5.4.34                2.2.14
3rd:       10.7.67              3.2.20
Final:     10.8.68              6.4.40

Etobicoke's Best Players: Phil Russo, Adam Curtis, Ian Hill, Dylan Lanctin, Manny Matata, Al Jones.
Etobicoke's Goalkickers: Phil Russo 4, Greg Everett 2, Adam Curtis 1, Ian Hill 1, Dylan Lanctin 1, Graham Hooey 1.
 

Etobicoke's Weekly Award Winners: 
Jack Astors: Phil Russo
VB Player of the Week - 6 Pack VB: Ian Hill
Southbrook Wines - Gift Pack: Adam Curtis
BigGrab Sports - Movie Tickets:  Dylan Lanctin
Frito Lay - Gift Pack: Matt Barras

 
AFL ONTARIO WOMEN'S LEAGUE - Etobicoke vs Toronto-High Park

The OAFL Women's League featured three teams this year, in a topsy-turvy season where one week a team would dominate only to lose the next.

The Central Blues can blame poor kicking after being eliminated in the finals kicking 2.13 (25) to Etobicoke's 4.5 (29).  That saw the Lady Roos through to the Grand Final against a combined Toronto Eagles - High Park Demons women's team.

Although fighting hard around the ground the Lady Roos were unable to shut down the Demon Eagles midfield led by Erin Loughane. The Lady Roos showed just how far they had come in their first year of footy but were unable to repeat the form of the previous week against the Central Blues and were defeated by the Demon Eagles. Overall a great year where the Lady Roos finished strong and showed that they will be contenders for the flag next year.

Unfortunately for Etobicoke the dream of 3 from 3 was not possible this year.

Final Scores were:

Etobicoke            Demon/Eagles
1st:       2.1.13                2.2.14
2nd:      3.1.19                5.4.34
3rd:       3.1.19                8.5.53
Final:     3.3.21               12.9.81

Etobicoke's Awards:
YellowGlen Pink: Ashley Walker
Continental Cosmetics: Laura Gibbs
Lindt Chocolate: Selina Amaral
Lindt Chocolate: Madison Amaral
LivingSocial Dollars:Liana Wong

Etobicoke's Best Players: Ashely Walker, Laura Gibbs, Selina Amaral, Andrea Lynett,
Liana Wong, Madison Amaral
Etobicoke's Goals: Laura Gibbs 2, Erin Quinn 1