The Etobicoke Kangaroos moved to 11-0 for the year with a 88 point win over the Guelph Gargoyles in round 11 action of the Ontario Australian Football League. The Etobicoke boys coming off a scare last week from a slow start meaning they had to chase down a 21 point deficit knew against a young Gargoyles team that the same situation might not mean the same outcome.
With head Coach Emile Studham away on romantic duties, stand in coach Travis McKenzie outlined the teams rules for the day that he hoped would ensure a fast start and the ability to control a young opponent. As with any good playing coach McKenzie lead from the front which always helps in this game and took strong mark after strong mark kicking truley when not dishing off to others in better positions.
Between McKenzie x 3 and Luke Lombardini x 2 the boys jumped out to a 31 point lead at the first break.
A fiesty Gargoyles came out in the 2nd quarter with the purpose of unsettling the boys but to no avail. A few disputes between players erupted but the calm heads of senior players prevailed as it would be a shame to lose players to suspension this late in the year. Justin Harris was starting to impose himself while playing in the center and with Adam Jacobs moving from full back to the ruck allowing Jeff Wingrove to play forward was master stroke from bench coach Phil Russo. A 5 goal to nil from McKenzie x 2, Harris x 2 and Wingrove in a 20 minute burst pushed the lead out to 62 points with still another 2 quarters to go.
To start the 3rd term, some changes were made to allow the young members of the squad the chance to gain experience in the midfield and across the half forward line. Andrew Ford, Mike Clelland and Alex McDonald all equited themselves well and will be able to be called upon later in the season to fill the roles if needed. The shuffle of players over the ground made for some adjustments that stunted the scoring power during the quarter, but backline stalwarts of Logan Chambers, Brad Muller and Sam Bates were providing the opportunities whith their rebound football thru the corridor. Goals for the term came from Travis McKenzie, Chet Long who was roughed up and got a nice 50 meter penalty and Justin Rigney now having a run in the forward line. The lead had stretched slightly to 77 points.
The task of reaching the 20 goal mark for the game was set. That would be a tough ask with the changes made to around the ground. The ground had dried out by this time after a heavy overnight dew so skills should have really come to the top. Our midfielders of Adam Jacobs, Chet Long, Luke Lombardini and Justin Harris were well on top and thriving on the ruck work of Jacobs who got stronger as the game went on. The ball was spending more time in the Roo's forward line then the over worked Gargoyles would like but the pressure was not being transfered onto the scoreboard. Jeff Vanmce lead strong and took a great pass from Harris early on and kicked truely after playing on and the 20 goal mark looked in reach. Poor scoring chances resulted and it wasn't until Travis Mcklenzie kicked his 7th for the day that we bothered the goal umpire to grab 2 flags instead of the one flag he had spent 5 times getting between goals. In the end the roos fell well short of the 20 goal mark but ended up winning by 88 points.
Next week we travel to Humber North for a 12pm clash with 8-3 Toronto Dingo's. This will be after the club has taken it's official 2009 team photo. All registered players with the club are asked to be in full playing uniform for 10.45am.
Quarter By Quarter Scores
Etobicoke Guelph
1st: 6.2.38 1.1.7
2nd: 11.3.69 1.1.7
3rd: 14.7.91 2.2.14
Final: 16.12.108 3.2.20
Best Players: Adam Jacobs, Travis McKenzie, Andrew Ford, Alex McDonald, Justin Harris, Luke Lombardini.
Goalkickers: Travis McKenzie 7, Justin Harris 3, Luke Lombardini 2, Jeff Vance 1, Justin Rigney 1,
Jeff Wingrove 1, Chet Long 1.
Weekly Award Winners
Wolf Blass B.O.G Gift Pack: Adam Jacobs
Squire & Firkin Best Australian $20 Gift Voucher: Travis McKenzie
BigGrab Sports Best Canadian 2 Movie Tickets: Andrew Ford
Pizza Pizza 1 %er Free Large Pizza: Alex McDonald
Etobicoke Kangaroos Next Game Round 12:
Saturday August 22nd @ Humber College North
Div 1 Vs Toronto Dingo's 12.00pm
Last Modified on 27/01/2010 10:17