The opening round of the 2018 AFL Ontario season is set for a host of big games this weekend. There is no doubt that the highlight is the AFL Ontario Grand Final rematch between the Toronto Eagles and Toronto Rebels. No one will ever forget the classic confrontation between these two in last years grand final, which was a tight arm wrestle that in the end was decided by less than a kick.
The Toronto Eagles ended their 8-year premiership drought defeating the Toronto Rebels by 4 points in last year’s showpiece match. They head into 2018 bolstered by the return of league Best & Fairest, Dean Gavin, and have only a few changes to their personnel for the upcoming season.
The Rebels had been the best side of the 2017 season, but in the match that mattered couldn’t get themselves over the line. They will no doubt be looking to redeem last years lost and set their path for another run at a premiership.
Last season these two were the benchmark for the rest of the league and there really is not a great deal between them. This is certain to be the match of the round.
WHERE AND WHEN: HS, Saturday, May 26, 2:00pm
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
GF, 2017, Toronto Eagles 8.4 (52) def Toronto Rebels 7.6 (48) at HS
R3, 2017, Toronto Eagles 9.8 (62) def by Toronto Rebels 11.14 (80) at HS
R8, 2016, Toronto Rebels 16.15 (111) def Toronto Eagles 8.7 (55) at HS
R8, 2015, Toronto Eagles 8.8 (56) def Toronto Rebels 6.4 (40) at HS
R4, 2015, Toronto Rebels 1.8 (14) draw with Toronto Eagles 2.2 (14) at HS
KEY FACTORS
1. Can the the League Best & Fairest pick up where he left off? Dean Gavin was one of the most influential players in the league last season and will be looking to continue to set the standard in 2018.
2. Both sides had the best mid-fields in 2017, but 2018 see’s various personnel changes in that department for each club. It will be interesting to see which side will wrestle control of the match from their engine room first.
3. Will we see more of the same high scoring from these sides in 2018? Last year the Eagles were the highest scoring side in the competition with 1186 point for. While the Rebels weren’t that far behind with 1103 points.