World Footy News

Toronto, CANADA (October 2, 2010): After joining the league in 2006, the Central Blues who compete in the Ontario Australian Football League (OAFL) have won the club's first OAFL Premiership in 2010. In front of a large crowd who enjoyed the OAFL beer tent and catering the Blues defeated a gutsy and determined Toronto Dingos outfit in the OAFL Grand Final played on Saturday 2 October 2010. The past three OAFL grand finals have been dominated by two clubs in the Toronto Eagles and Etobicoke Kangaroos with the Eagles winning two out of the three deciders, so it was a refreshing change to see two different clubs lining up in the biggest game of the season. The Blues, which were established by Bruce Parker and Rob Chapman in 2006 basing their club uniform on the revered Carlton Blues Football Club in the AFL, had played in the past two seasons before reaching its first grand final in 2010.

In an encouraging sign for the Blues their reserves team also featured on the big day, taking on Quebec in the Division 2 grand final.

The Blues went into this game as slight favorites having finished the season ranked 2 on the ladder with a 12-2 record. But the 5th placed Dingos were certainly not far behind given their form leading into the GF as they surprised many in winning effectively three straight elimination finals on their way to earning their spot in the big game. With the temperature around 10 degrees and a constant drizzle falling the contest was going to be tough and tight for the players. The slippery conditions arguably favored the seasoned Dingos squad, with the greasy ball expected to slow down the slick running Blues. The Dingos (who have been part of the league since it began in 1989) also boasted a bunch of veterans who have played in OAFL Premierships, while the Blues only featured one player.

As the first ball was thrown up to start the game the two sides did not disappoint the big crowd on hand to witness this battle, and both sides showed that neither side intended to play the game on the back foot as players threw themselves at the first contest with serious intent. Blues Skipper, ruckman and Canadian representative player Jacob Sone led the charge for the Blues battling hard to give his midfielders first use of the ball and they rewarded his hard work pin pointing Blues 2010 leading goal kicker Sean Goedheer with a slick pass before he converted for the games first goal. But before spectators even came close to thinking it would be a Blues walkover the tough Dingos stepped up even more, turning the game into a battle in the midfield. With both sides' defensive line holding their opposition at bay in the midfield, it was the Dingos who were first to break the line getting the ball to their in-form power forward Craig Stewart who opened the Dingos' account. Stewart has been in red hot form in the Dingos' past 3 finals averaging 4 goals a game. But the Blues responded quickly with their second to maintain a slender lead at the end of a classic first quarter. It was clear that this game could go either way as both sides had their moments.

The second quarter started off with the Dingos absolutely dominating the play as their ruckman Tom Bell dominated the center contests for his run with players Mick McFarlane and Shawn McKay who continually pumped the ball into their forward 50. Thankfully for the Blues, their defensive backline, which was the stingiest backline in the league in 2010 were brilliant in pressuring their opposition forwards to a remarkable 6 behinds despite the relentless onslaught of the Dingos. Canadian rookie sensation Steven Rutledge who has quickly gained a reputation of being a giant slayer himself having shut down the league's most dangerous forwards in the Blues' past two finals in Eagle Aaron Falcioni and Kangaroo Travis McKenzie once again had his hands full standing the Dingos' danger man Craig Stewart. Rutledge was enjoyed another blinder to eventually keep Stewart to only two goals for the day. Gaining inspiration from the hardworking Blues backline their midfielders managed to squeeze the ball out to the ever sneaky Kyle Pinto who burst away into an open Blues goal for an easy goal. With this goal the momentum swung in favor of the Blues, as their midfield began to take charge. Dan Zimmerman, Kyle Docherty and GF Best on Ground Daniel Corp all combined clinically get the ball to the Blues Goedheer who marked and converted for his second of the day. As the siren sounded to mark the halftime break, the Blues held onto a slender two goal advantage despite the Dingos controlling most of the play. The Dingos would have been disappointed with the second quarter result. In only managing to add six behinds to their score, while also conceding two goals they knew they let the Blues off the hook.

In a reversal of the second quarter, the third quarter saw the Blues jump out of the box quicker, as the Blues' Docherty kicked a great running goal. But the Dingos made sure the Blues celebration was cut short as their coach Mick McFarlane (playing in his 50th game) kicked a great goal to rally his troops. McFarlane’s effort did not go unnoticed as the red and black army swarmed to kick another goal through Stewart Wilson as the Dingos brought themselves back to one goal down and well and truly back in the game. The Blues fought back with another goal to Goedheer, but the Dingos Craig Stewart punched back with his second for the day and the Dingos third for the quarter. As the Dingos once again loomed threatening to again take control of the game’s momentum, Blues Canadian veteran Jared Postance stepped up to kick arguably the most important goal in Blues history.

With the ball in the middle of a rolling scrum in the Blues' forward 50, former rugby player Postance was revelling in the conditions and game style. In a frenzied sequence of play; Postance laid a brilliant tackle, followed by a bone-jarring bump as he pressured the ball deeper into the Blues attacking zone. As the Dingos defense looked to clear the ball, Jared threw himself through the air to apply a textbook smother and as the ball squirted towards the Blues' goal had the composure to win the foot race, slide and toe-poke the ball through the goals only centimeters from the behind post. Postance’ inspirational play had his teammates pumped as the siren went and the Blues running in with a slender 13 point lead in the slippery conditions.

Being a tantalizing 20 minutes away from the club’s first ever senior premiership, the Blues seemed intent on coming out in the final quarter to finish their season in style. The Dingos arguably controlled more of the game, but thanks to the Blues' defense were unable to exert the all important scoreboard pressure. Nonetheless they were still within three kicks. But before the Dingos got any ideas, the younger Blues legs began to take the toll over the valiant Dingos.

Opening goals to the Blues' Dunne and Goedheer gave their team a handy 4 goal buffer. But as usual with all games against a proud club such as the Dingos, despite the deficit they never looked like rolling over as they continued to fight on, as the game became a scrap in the middle. A late goal to the Dingos' Danny Mcllravey cut the Blues' lead to three goals but the damage had been done. And as the final siren sounded for the 2010 OAFL season, the Blues players and supporters erupted in sheer joy in becoming the first Central Blues squad to have achieved the ultimate success in winning the club’s first ever OAFL Premiership.

Div 1 – Grand Final:
                G B Score
Central Blues 9 4 58
Toronto Dingos 5 10 40

GF Best On Ground Daniel Corp (Central Blues)

Blues Best: D. Corp, K. Pinto, S. Goedheer, S. Rutledge, R. Armstrong, J. Sone, K. Docherty, J. Postance
Blues Goals: S. Goedheer 4, M. Dunne 2, J. Postance, K. Pinto, K. Docherty

Dingos Best: S. McKay, M. McFarlane, J. Duggan, A. Anderson, T. Bell
Dingos Goals: C. Stewart 2, D. McIlravey, S. Wilson , M. McFarlane

In Division Two the Quebec Saints denied the Blues a double header, winning comfortably 9.7 (61) to 2.1 (13).

Photos courtesy of Rob Colburn.