Vancouver Cougars Football Club | Australian Rules Football Canada

The first quarter started in true west coast style - umpire Brian Horan electing to throw the ball skyward to avoid the wet and slippery ground. Immediately Dale Handley and the Eagles centre players demonstrated that they were ready to play footy! However, Saints Mike Lancaster and Craig Hopkins quickly started to gain possessions throughout the midfield thwarting the Eagles surges forward. At the 5 minute mark the ball was deep in the Saints forward line and silky skilled Craig hopkins snapped for a major. The rest of the quarter was deadlocked with the Eagles veteran Peter Taylor showing he was well rested during the preseason. Taylor finished the quarter with 7 kicks, 4 Handballs and 3 Marks - setting the stage for a possible BOG performance. Late in the quarter Mike Lancaster kicked the second goal for the Saints from just on 50m and Saint's newbie Lachlan "Locky" Scott snagged a great goal less than 2 minutes later. Brad Teasdale was having a great game throughout the middle and was ably assisted by the veteran Bonney across the back line!

Kicking with the wind in the second quarter the Eagles had many more attacking opportunities, but players such as Ward Frost and Ryan McGrath for the Saints showed some amazing form across the half and full back lines. Clayton Holmes had a spectacular second quarter proving that his inclusion in the Canadian Northwind contingent will be fruitfull! Big hits were a major component of this battle with the Eagles' Plugger the recipient of a great hip and shoulder. This was followed by Peter Taylor's bone crunching hip and shoulder on Gareth "Chip" Bowley. As Chip ran foward toward the "Mahony and Sons Wing" Taylor executed the best body check to be witnessed this season. A more perfect hit could not have been delivered and true to Taylor's sportmanlike approach was completely within the bounds of the rules. Credit to Bowley for bouncing back up and staying in the game! The quarter was a war of attrition with both sides unable to register a major score till well into the 18 minute mark when lofty Ryan Martin snagged a wonderful goal for the Saints. Under Saint coach Scott Sheen's skilfull tutelage the Saints were able to completely nullify many skilful Eagles players including Adam Cole who remained without a kick for the quarter until the dying minutes. Cole received a great forward delivery and recieved the kick 30 meters out from goal. It has to be said the conditions were paying the toll and kicking a very water soaked ball Cole missed. Had he scored a major the quarter would have been a wash on the score board.

The wind was still playing a role in the third quarter and the Saints had a definitive breeze advantage early on. It only took 3 minutes for the ball to be locked in the Saints forward pocket. David Miller performed a mesmorising arc and snapped to Matt "Ringadingding" Sutherland who marked and goaled. But the Eagles were inspired by their leadership group and forced the ball northward time and again. Frustrating the Saints defense paid off when Eagle Randy Dicken marked and then was awarded a 50m penalty in the pocket. Kicking truly Randy scored the BAFC's first goal of the game. The centre bounce was hard fought with the Saints rock Ward Frost battling for the ball. The free ball was corralled in centre field before a break out play allowed speedy Mike Lancaster to snap a great goal! Not to be outdone in the seasaw 3rd quarter the Eagles pushed forward through Adam Cole who kicked long to goal on the 12 minute mark. Unfortunately for the game tensions rose and the game became tangled in a messy melee. Players from both teams lost their cool and composure and Umpires Horan and Stratford were forced to yellow card. Lancaster (WCSAFC) and Roger (BAFC) were ejected before a frustrated Dale Wakefield (BAFC) was also carded for unduly rough play. Credit to the umpires for restoring professionalism to the game and after a short delay a ball up ensued! Late in the quarter Chip Bowley kicked the WCSAFC final goal of the quarter.

The final quarter witnessed the traditional calm that the UBC field often effects late in the afternoon. With the wind non existent and the ground considerably dryer the speed of the game was more pronounced. Big Saint forward Matt Sutherland marked truly in the forward line after receiving a long bomb from James Maitland. He quickly passed to Lachlan Scott who set up and missed. The Saints peppered the goals throughout the final term with little success. The Eagles also found it hard to goal as Adam Cole again missed an opportunity from inside 50m. While the game result was perhaps out of contention the standard of play was not waning. Both teams battled hard throughout the last quarter and it was not till the 18 minute mark that speedy Peter Campion was able to receive a running pass, mark and proceed to power toward goal and shoot successfully!

After receiving a narrow loss to the West Coast Saints last round the Vancouver Australian Football Team overcame all obstacles today to run out clear victors against the Burnaby Eagles.

Playing at the new ground location of Newton, Surrey under overcast conditions rookie first year Coach Brad Jorgensen mustered up some coaching finesse to make sure the entire Cougar player group welded together and played at their true potential. Brian Kelly, Brad Jorgensen and Jay Abbott started on the ball and immediately developed a strong attacking force. With Ryan Carrucan and Hurley attacking off the half forward line and Sam Stevens shifted to Full Forward the Cougars looked strong in attack - albeit a little off target! The first quarter was a close encounter with the Eagles keen to thwart any Cougar momentum. Brenton Short and Ashley Steier combined well across half back limiting the Eagles chances. At the close of the first quarter VAFC 3.3.21 to BAFC 2.0.12.

A quarter time analysis of the Cougars strengths/weaknesses witnessed a change of Grills to CHF and Edmonds to FF. Dusty Castallerin and Chris Harrison battled hard at the ball and backline veteran Tony Cooper helped curb Eagles attacks. ISSC import Wayne Murray proved his Gaelic skills ably assisted his efforts on the footy field. Kevin Tolme, Jordan Milne and Matt Payne also threw their bodies on the line throughout the entire game. Jay Abbott was unstoppable and enjoyed the dryer conditions attempting several spectacular marks. However it was the leadership from the enthusiastic James Warfe (Game day Captain) that really set the tone of the game for the Cougars - playing across the half back line Warfe repelled many Eagles kicks and rebounded the ball with real consistency and vigor. Kicking into a slight head wind the Cougars closed the half 5.6.36 to BAFC 2.1.12.

The half time change witnessed a slight resurgence from the Eagles but once again the Cougars freshman brigade took up the challenge. Playing disciplined footy Matt Dube, Tim Cipolloni, Jack Tse, Jack Thompson and Les Ketchell showed that they could handle the increased pressure! Matt Harrison snagged a brilliant goal from 40 metres adding to the VAFC lead. Kevin Tolme was regaining his skills/experience after being away from the game for many years! Three quarter time 8.8.56 VAFC to 2.4.16 BAFC.

The conditions late in the game provided little favour for either end. The Cougars kicking into what was a head wind now had an opportunity to showcase their game fitness. While the Eagles never said die it became apparent that the long game was taking its toll. Frank Murphy and Rory O'Maley worked hard to win the ball and Brian Kelly continued his domination of the ruck contests. Brad Jorgensen turned up his work rate and snagged a nice goal. Frustration for the Eagles surrounded the smaller Cougar running players. Robert Edmonds provided a solid target up forward - beaming with pride when assisting his team mates. Liam Dib and Clayton Lund also contributed well interchanging from the sidelines. But overall it was an excellent team effort from the Cougars which helped them secure a final score of 11.11.77 defeating the Eagles 2.6.18.

A special word of thanks goes out to the spectators that came out to offer support. There were many WC Saints players on hand to help with water, being runners, and simply encouraging the players and that was truly a great thing! The stage is set for a great third game for the NWPAFL season as the Cougars sit lofty atop the ladder with a notable percentage. All players should be proud of the way the team developed and the spirit in which they played the game.

The Cougars headed back to the Eagles main sponsor the Hop and Vine Pub and enjoyed sopme great food, cold drinks and many stories!

VAFC Goal Scorers; Brad Jorgensen 3, Stuart Grills 2, Tim Cipolloni 2, Kevin Tolme 1, Matt Harrison 1, Jordan Milne 1, Brian Kelly 1.

VAFC Best; from; James Warfe, Matt Dube, Tim Cipolloni, Brenton Short, Brian Kelly, Brad Jorgensen, Jay Abbott

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