The 2024 AFL Ontario Preliminary Final between the Toronto Eagles and Toronto Rebels promised to be a fierce contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the Grand Final against the Toronto Dingos. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Rebels proved too strong on the day, delivering a comprehensive 9.8 (62) to 1.2 (14) victory. The Rebels took control and tempo of the match, capitalizing on the Eagles’ struggles to gain momentum and making the most of their scoring opportunities. Despite a challenging outing, the Eagles demonstrated incredible heart, with standout performances from key players and moments of grit that showed why they’ve been a competitive team throughout the season.
Key Players and Highlights
While the scoreline wasn’t in their favor, the Eagles had a few shining lights. John O’Connor led the way, impressively taking on Toronto’s best players and showing why he’s one of the most formidable taggers in the league. His relentless pressure kept the Rebels’ top guns on their toes all day.
Yuma Hemphell also played a key role, providing significant drive through the midfield, while Braedy Walker showed heart and hustle, contesting fiercely in every play. Despite the scoreline, these players made sure the Eagles left it all on the field
Game Flow
The Eagles started the game with momentum, but couldn’t take their early chances. The Rebels then steadied and set the tone of the game. Their relentless pressure and ability to move the ball quickly through the middle of the ground made it difficult for the Eagles to find their footing. The Eagles’ defense held firm early, with some brave efforts, but the Rebels soon broke through, kicking several quick goals to establish dominance. The first quarter ended with the Eagles already trailing, unable to convert their limited chances into scores.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, the Rebels continued to dictate play. Despite some bursts of energy from the Eagles midfield, led by Yuma Hemphell, the team struggled to transition the ball effectively into their forward line. Turnovers in dangerous areas allowed the Rebels to counterattack, and they made the Eagles pay with accurate goal-kicking. John O’Connor’s tagging efforts, however, kept the game from getting out of hand early, limiting the influence of the Rebels’ main playmaker.
Commenting on the game, O’Connor remarked, “I knew coming in it was going to be tough, especially with their midfield strength, but I wanted to make sure I did everything to keep their best players quiet. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get the game to swing our way.”
The third quarter was where the game was effectively sealed. The Rebels extended their lead, putting the Eagles under immense pressure. The Eagles managed only one goal for the game, a result of some smart forward play, but it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum. Braedy Walker noted after the game, “We had our chances, but every time we started to string a few good plays together, they hit back hard. I just focused on giving it my all at every contest, because at that point, all you can do is fight.”
In the final quarter, despite the Eagles continuing to push and scrap for every ball, the Rebels were too far ahead. The game ended with a resounding victory for the Rebels, who will now move on to face the Dingos in the Grand Final.
Looking Forward
This defeat marks the end of the Toronto Eagles’ 2024 season, a campaign filled with both promising moments and tough lessons. For the Eagles, the focus now shifts to reflection and improvement for the next season. The team will take heart from the performances throughout the season, in what was ultimately a disappointing end to their finals run.
Despite their struggles against the Rebels, the Eagles’ resilience throughout the year has been a positive takeaway. Their ability to grind through games and give it their all, even in difficult circumstances, has been commendable. Moving forward, there is plenty to build upon, particularly around their midfield and defensive structures, which, on their day, have proven to be strong.
The Eagles will regroup, review, and come back stronger for the next campaign. Their fighting spirit remains intact, and with the right offseason preparation, they have the potential to return as a stronger contender next year.