Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club - Official Site

In superb conditions at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Etobicoke Kangaroos defeated the Ottawa Swans in Round 12 of the Ontario Australian Football League. The Swans now have two more games in which to record their first win of the OAFL season.

Not for the first time this year, the Swans started the match poorly; the Kangaroos took full advantage. In the first quarter, the visiting team, kicking with a strong wind, swept the ball forward far too easily and kicked accurately for goal to set up a significant lead. The Swans had only a handful of chances and were let down by kicking errors when precision was needed.

After a stern address from Acting Coach Yaser Abou Elenein at quarter time, the Swans played far more accountably and shut down most of the Kangaroos' offensive plays in the second quarter. Ryan Gregory began to find onballers Chris Peck and Jay Goldhawk in the middle of the ground, enabling the Swans to push forward. However, the home team was unable to capitalize on the favourable breeze, and their only goal of the half came from a set shot by Mike Koslowski, who took a strong mark moments before the siren.

In the third term, the Swans showed why they are a team with great potential in the OAFL. Again the Kangaroos had the breeze at their backs, but the Swans' back six consistently repelled their efforts, allowing only one goal for the quarter. In a familiar story for the Swans, Darren Roffey was the standout player, taking marks, defeating bigger opponents and consistently finding teammates with accurate passes. Alec Campbell supported him ably. Across the middle of the ground, Jon Lajeunesse played a stellar half, winning the hard ball and evading opponents at will to send the ball towards the Swans' forward targets.

In the final quarter, the Swans were again the better team, showing superior fitness to run the Kangaroos ragged across much of the ground and create scoring opportunities. Mike Koslowski kicked his second goal, Sean Robertson-Tait kicked another and Cam Beaman took a mark to convert from close range. The game's highlight was an enormous sixty-metre goal from the tireless Jay Goldhawk, a first year player in his last match for the season whose attack on the ball and willingness to run for his teammates never wavered.

Acting Coach Abou Elenein, in charge of the team for the first time, was philosophical after the match. “We showed in the second half that we can compete with any team in the league. But the first quarter cost us. If we can play consistently for a whole game, I know we can win. The players all feel confident about our last two matches.”

Next Saturday sees Volunteer Round for the Swans: the club will recognize its loyal network of generous volunteers before their final home game of the season at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Their opponent will be High Park Demons, who are only one place ahead of the Swans in the OAFL standings. The match promises to be closely fought.

Final score: Etobicoke Kangaroos 15.15 (105) defeated Ottawa Swans 5.6 (36)
Best players: Jon Lajeunesse, Alec Campbell, Darren Roffey, Mike Kozlowski
Goal kickers: Koslowski (2), Jay Goldhawk, Cam Beaman, Sean Robertson-Tait
Crowd: 118