Round 2 of the 2010 Ontario Australian Football League saw the Guelph Gargoyles facing the Etobicoke Kangaroos.  The Roos went the entire 2009 season undefeated until they lost the Grand Final to the Toronto Eagles in dramatic fashion.  Etobicoke has lost some of the key Australian players that formed that 2009 team but has replaced the holes they left behind with new talent and a new coach.

The Gargoyles knew that this game was not going to be an easy one to win.  Etobicoke was hungry after suffering a defeat at the hands of 2009 premiers the Toronto Eagles in last week’s miserable weather conditions.  The Gargoyles had lost eight straight games against the Etobicoke Kangaroos since 2005 but had a feeling that this game might be a changing of the guard.

Loi Van Leeuwen was scheduled to play his 100^th game as a Gargoyle and the team members were especially keen to make it a memorable one for Loi.  The team selection committee had its work cut out for them on Thursday evening running through the options.  The last minute withdrawal of star midfielder Scotty Rowe making things at the selection table interesting for all.  Guelph has a number of rookie players that are making their way into the lineup and looking for regular playing positions.  The majority of them 6' plus and youthful making for a great future at the Gargoyles.  This week’s team still missing some key players to injury and other commitments still had the full quota of 24 eager starters.  The selection committee opted to sit 3 players who will be making their way into the team in the next round to ensure game time for all.

Etobicoke arrived in Guelph with 18 players on their roster but still bursting with talent.  With the coin toss completed the Roos opted to go with the wind (What’s with losing the toss every week Matty?) and the game was underway.  Etobicoke began moving the ball well out of the center towards their forward line and capitalized with the first 2 goals of the game.  Adam Millen was moved forward to create some opportunity for the Gargoyles, he had an immediate impact taking some great pack marks after Benjamin Roberts began to win the ball out of the middle and feed forward.  Guelph got their first goal and at the end of the quarter the scores were 2.6.18 Etobicoke leading 1.0.6 Guelph.

With the start of the second quarter Guelph began to attack strongly aided by the breeze and had the Roos defense working overtime.  The ball was moving between the teams’ defensive zones but no one really stamping authority on the game.  Guelph converted a goal and 2 behinds to narrow the margin at the half time siren.  Guelph’s defense keeping the Roos scoreless for the quarter with some great work by the half and full back lines.  Etobicoke 2.6.18 lead Guelph 2.3.15

Matt Newark started to get his game sense back in touch after missing the 2009 season and round 1 of 2010 due to work commitments.  He began to take some great marks up forward after Travis Doyle started winning the battle in the ruck over giant Roos ruckman Manny Matata.  Travis Doyle bagged himself a crucial late goal after receiving the ball courtesy of some great link-up play from Benjamin Roberts and kept the boys in touch for the final term.  The Roos managed to snag a couple of goals with the wind but were tiring against a fitter Guelph side at the end of the quarter. Etobicoke 4.9.33 lead Guelph 3.6.24

A fired up Guelph team took to the track at the beginning of the 4^th quarter and knew what had to be done to come away with the win.  Some fantastic football from the Gargoyles saw the ball kicked long into the 50m zone and 100^th gamer Loi came busting out of the heavy pack with the ball and kicked a great goal.  This seemed to really fire the boys up as it was shortly followed by Gord Munro taking a great mark and giving off the hands to Travis Doyle as he screamed by.  Ruckman Travis kicked a pearler on the run from 40m out and the Gargoyles were in front.  A few minutes later Zack MacDonald received a nice pass up field and goaled.  Adam Millen was also in the mix taking a screamer before the siren sounded and the Gargoyles had broken through thoroughly outplaying the Etobicoke Kangaroos with a 4-goal quarter.

The Defensive lines had a great day led by Matt Bannon, Daniel Murray and Jason Fox limiting the Roos scoring opportunities.  Travis Doyle in the ruck worked well with Benjamin Roberts to make some nice passage plays.  Loi managed to bag himself a goal in his 100^th game to make it a sweet celebration.

Final Score Guelph Gargoyles 7.6.48 defeated Etobicoke Kangaroos 4.12.36

Goal kickers for Guelph:

Travis Doyle (3), Adam Millen, Cameron Grant, Zack MacDonald, Loi VanLeeuwen