Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club - Official Site

By Chris MacLean, Assistant Coach 

Cheer, Cheer the red and the white!  Well, it took until the mid point of the 2009 season for the Ottawa Swans to record the club’s first OAFL victory but what a victory it was.  The Swans finishing 60 points in front of the Guelph Gargoyles and winning back the Canada Day Cup.  The Gargoyles, a bit short on numbers, arrived at the Rideau Carleton Raceway and were greeted with thunder, lightning and rain…an ominous sign of how the day would unfold for them. There was no dampening the mood of the large contingent of Swans faithful, who were on hand to cheer on the boys in red and white. 

In the first quarter, the Swans were a bit slow out of gate and allowed Guelph to get an early lead. Fortunately, the Swans steadied as the quarter progressed. Simon “Tumbles” Langlois along with Jake Plunkett-Latimer dominated in the midfield.  Tumbles showed fantastic attack on the ball with his hard work resulting in numerous opportunities for the forwards.  The team also welcomed Luke Walsh back into the line up, clearly adding inspiration and confidence for the guys. Walshy, a consistent performer when playing fit, relished the opportunity to get a run in the midfield.  With 3 goals to finish off the quarter, the Swans had established a lead that they never relinquished.  

The Swans continued to impress in the second quarter and had their most productive quarter to date.  The game plan started to be executed; the Swans supported each other well and were always committed to going in and under when needed. The dangerous Keane brothers, Richard and Robert, led by example and had a field day all over the ground.  Six goals were scored before the end of the quarter, lead by Robert Keane (2) and Darren Roffey (2).  Ryan Nader and Rohan Brown added singles to push the lead out to 40 by the end of the first half.

It was only a matter of running out the last two quarters and not becoming complacent to secure the victory.  Coach Corey Bowen hammered this message home to the boys and they responded in true Swans fashion. As has been the case all season, the defensive core in the back lines continued their consistent play, repelling the Gargoyles attack again and again.  Mike Kozlowski, after being sidelined since Round 1, enjoyed getting a run and found a lot of space in the half back line. Quick transition from defence to attack allowed the Swans to add to their lead with Roffey adding the last of his 5 goals and taking over as the leading goal kicker for the Swans.  Sean Robertson-Tait was able to celebrate a well deserved goal, his first of the season.

By the time the fourth quarter started, the Swans were unstoppable.  With the Gargoyles continuing to battle hard, the Swans had all the answers and cruised on for the win.  Sean Morris and Corey Bowen helped to widen the margin and when the final siren sounded, the Swans were 61-point winners. Oh, how they relished that they would be singing the Swans song for the first time (hopefully, with a few more wins the words won’t have to be written out on the board)! 

The team played the game we have been waiting to see from them all year, too bad for those of you who were scared off by the rain!  All the players continue to impress and the team is looking forward to more success in the second half of the season.   

Everyone who initiated, built, and continues to maintain this club should know the players and coaching staff appreciate all the hard work and sacrifices that have gone into getting this win. It was very proud moment to be a part of. It should stand as a great reward to all of the players for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the Ottawa Swans.  Go Swans!

Final Score: Swans 13.8 (86), Gargoyles 3.7 (25)