The Toronto Eagles begun their 2025 AFL Ontario campaign with a gritty and determined performance against the Toronto Dingos in Round 2. In tough, windy conditions at Humber South, the Eagles battled hard in a tightly contested match that remained neck-and-neck until the final quarter. Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the game was filled with positives as the team builds momentum and chemistry in the early stages of the season.

“It was tough out there with the wind, but we dug in,” Hemphill said post-match. “There’s already good energy in the group. It’s only Round 2 and we’re already starting to click – exciting times ahead.”

New Faces, Solid Foundation

With several new players pulling on the Eagles jumper for the first time, there was a strong sense of growth and development across the field. The squad’s effort, intensity, and willingness to adapt to the conditions and one another stood out as a major positive. The group showed signs of promising cohesion that will only strengthen as the season progresses.

“We saw a lot of encouraging signs today,” said Head Coach Aaron Falcioni after the game. “The scoreboard doesn’t always tell the full story. With so many fresh faces, it was great to see the effort and intent to play team-first footy. We’ll build from this.”

Key Performances

  • Yuma Hemphill (Midfield) – A relentless presence in the middle, Yuma worked tirelessly around the ground. His ability to win contested ball and push the play forward was instrumental in keeping the Eagles competitive all day.
  • Joel Goullet (Midfield) – Displayed poise under pressure and excellent ball use despite the wind. Joel’s work rate and ability to link up with teammates was vital in transitional play.
  • Jack McVeigh (Defence) – A standout in the backline, Jack’s intercept marking and calm decision-making under pressure helped to repel several forward entries from the Dingos.

Final Thoughts

Although the result didn’t go the Eagles’ way, the performance gave fans plenty to be excited about. In difficult conditions and with a developing lineup, the team showed fight, structure, and flashes of excellent footy.

“I couldn’t fault our intent,” added Falcioni. “We’ll tighten up a few areas, but I’m confident this group has what it takes to really compete this season.”

As the group continues to build confidence and cohesion, the Eagles look set to take big strides forward. They now shift focus to Round 3 where they will face the Grand River Gargoyles, and will be eager to convert potential into points.