After 8 long years the Toronto Eagles have finally soared on Grand Final day again, defeating a valiant Toronto Rebels in one of the most thrilling AFL Ontario grand finals.
The Eagles sealed their 13th flag – and first since 2009 – with a goal by midfielder Ben Eddy in the dying minute of the game.
The match was so tightly contested that only it was all level heading into the final quarter. The lead would change on various occasions but it was the grit of the Eagles that helped them get over the line.
“For ten minutes when it was only a few points the difference, it was one of those things when you had to go. When it’s your turn to go, you’ve got to go. There’s going to be no tomorrow, there’s no excuses, if you break a leg, if you need ten stitches, if you get knocked out, it doesn’t matter, because you know that your teammate would do the same when it’s his turn to go.” stated team captain, Tasos Dimacakos.
“If I’m going to get injured, or if I’m going to get hurt, it doesn’t matter because evey player on the team would do the same if he was in your position. That was the feeling, we weren’t going to let it slip. There was just an unbelievable work-rate, unbelievable intensity.” This mindset was indeed shared by all players on the field.
The last minute was frenetic, with the Eagles leading by 4 points and looking to hang on, and Rebels striving to score. The seconds ticked by until a kick towards the boundary and the siren finally sounded.
The Eagles would also recieve the 2017 Grand Final best on ground, which was awarded to ruckman Sean Westerhuis.
With the various ups and downs over the seasons since 2009, this was a particularly satisfying premiership for all involved. All the hard work recruiting, training and running of the club over those dry years had paid off.
2017 AFL Ontario Division 1 Premiers Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club
FULL TIME: Toronto Eagles 8.4 (52) def Toronto Rebels 7.6 (48)
Division 1 #AFLOGrandFinal2017 Best on Ground
Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club: Sean Westerhuis