IT HAS BEEN 7 months and 5 days since the 2009 Ontario Australian Football League grand final, in which the Toronto Eagles Australian football club won their 12th premiership.
This weekend the Toronto Eagles will once again face their cross town rivals, the Etobicoke Kangaroos in what is most certainly the game of the round. With the loss of star player Troy Marsh, the Eagles have been working hard recruiting in the off-season and have acquired a healthy group of Australian talent to add to their already potent stock. Coach Aaron Falcioni has also been happy with the new Canadian talent that has joined the club in the off-season. “We had some amazing first year players last year join the club and it has seemed to have carried over to this year” he stated.
The Eagles will be promoting two new rookies this weekend. The Eagles have been training hard in the pre-season and continue to play their fast, free flowing football, which was evident in last weekend’s pre-season cup. With the loss of four of their best players, Etobicoke will be looking to play some competitive football. Many have been eager to knock the 2008 premiers, so the Kangaroos will be out to prove they are still a premiership contender..
This weekend’s game will no doubt be a fantastic spectacle of football between two of the league’s best. Make sure you get down and support the team, game starts at 1:00pm.
RECENT RESULTS AGAINST THE ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS
Round 9, 2009, Etobicoke Kangaroos 9.13 (67) d Toronto Eagles 5.4 (34), Humber South
Round 1, 2009, Etobicoke Kangaroos 16. 11. (107) d Toronto Eagles 11. 6. (72), Humber North
Round 8, 2008, Toronto Eagles 12. 6. (78) d Etobicoke Kangaroos 6. 9. (45), Humber South
Round 14, 2007, Toronto Eagles 10. 8. (68) d Etobicoke Kangaroos 8. 7. (55), Humber North
Round 5, 2007, Etobicoke Kangaroos 11. 8. (74) d Toronto Eagles 6. 0. (36), Humber South
Round 11, 2006, Etobicoke Kangaroos 5. 7. (37) d Toronto Eagles 10. 14. (74) Humber North
Round 4, 2006, Etobicoke Kangaroos 8. 8. (56) d Toronto Eagles 7. 8. (50), Humber South
MEDICAL ROOM
Gregg Pearce (ankle) – 1 week
STRENGTHS
The Toronto Eagles come into round one looking the goods, after an impressive showing in the pre-season tournament last weekend. The Eagles continue to play the same brand of football that won them the 2009 premiership. With some fantastic new recruits added to an already strong side, they will be just as potent.
POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES
If the Eagles don’t commit to playing their brand of football and focus on playing all four quarters, they run the risk of their opposition taking control of the game.
AT THE SELECTION TABLE
The Eagles will come into Saturday’s game with a full list.
DANGERMAN
Matt Bachinski: Bachinski has been one of the Eagle’s (and league’s) premier defenders and will no doubt have the task of controlling the Kangaroos’ best forward. If Bachinski is at his best, then expect the Eagles to control the game.
IT’S NOT GENERALLY KNOWN…
The Toronto Eagles and Etobicoke Kangaroos will face each other in round one for the second straight year.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.