Eagles through to preliminary final after nail biter
By Eaglesafc.com
09:23 PM Mon 12, Sept 2011
The Toronto Eagles are through to the AFL Ontario preliminary final after a nail biting, hard fought 4 point win over the Guelph Gargoyles.
The Eagles led all match, only to be headed by a determined Gargoyle outfit with just minutes remaining. Enter Mark Peterson whose miracle goal from 45m on the boundary with 45 seconds remaining got the Eagles over the line.
The match begun with the Eagles continuing their strong form of recent weeks, kicking four goals to none in the first quarter. The midfield was dominant with Peterson, Frank Luisser, Ralph Koens and Ajit Alister driving the ball into attack repeatedly.
“That was probably one of our best first quarter efforts this year” stated midfielder, Frank Luisser. “Everyone played their part around the field.”
The second quarter continued in the same fashion with Vaughn Jazyk snapping a typically crafty goal to have the Eagles in total control.
However, that would be the end of the Eagles dominance. The Eagles made a number of fundamental skill errors and the Gargoyles kicked the next 5 goals to have the game all square at half time.
The second half was a complete arm-wrestle with neither side able to gain ascendancy. The Eagles were struggling to mark the ball inside 50, with leading goal kicker Aaron Falcioni struggling for form.
At the other end, the Gargoyles competition leading goal kicker was being totally dominated by Eagles Captain Tasos Dimackos.
The Eagles needing a lift up forward threw ruckman Ajit Alister to full forward. The move worked wonders with Alister marking strongly and kicking a critical late goal to give the Eagles breathing space at three quarter time.
“Getting that small buffer heading into the final quarter was crucial” commented Alister. “We knew that we had to increase our intensity or else they’d (Guelph) would get on top of us.”
The fourth quarter was again a tight physical struggle with the Gargoyles harder running midfield allowing them to get themselves back into the match. A couple of crucial missed set shots early in the quarter would prove costly.
The Gargoyles continued to attack and despite the solid work by the Eagles’ backs, a running goal with just minutes remaining had an upset victory on the cards.
With the Eagles out on their feet they were able to make one last desperate effort to get the ball forward. Koens won a loose ball on the wing and was able to steady and find Peterson unmarked at the fifty. Peterson somehow launched the kick between the uprights and the crowd went ballistic.
The Eagles managed to negotiate the final 45 seconds, but not before one last Gargoyles attack was repelled by the outstanding Eagles backline.
“This was a great win for the club” commented club president Salvatore Capoferri. “The guys will take a lot from this game in preparing for next week’s big match.”
The gripping victory gives the Eagles great confidence leading into the preliminary final against the Etobicoke Kangaroos, who will not be looking forward to a rematch with their bogey side.
Next week’s preliminary final will be held at Humber South, be sure to get down and support the Eagles. Bounce down 2:00pm.
TORONTO EAGLES 4.2 5.3 8.3 9.4 (58)
GUELPH GARGOYLES 0.1 5.2 6.4 8.6 (54)
GOALS
A. Alister 3, V. Jazyk 2, M. Conroy , A. Falcioni , K. Minaker , M. Peterson
BEST
A. Alister, M. Peterson, T. Dimacakos, K. Minaker
INJURIES
M.Nord (Shoulder)
R.Koens (Knee)
REPORTS: Nil
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
