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Adam “Lulu” Simpson and Matt “Man Crush” McDowall were voted respective best and fairest winners of their clubs on Saturday night.

The lads revealed as the winners in front of what was eventually a record crowd of over 200 at Moose’s Downunder. Other awards announced on the night:

Burnaby Eagles

Best and Fairest –  Adam Simpson
Runner Up B&F  - Chris Pirwarski
Best Cnadaian – Justen “Jimmy” Oertel
Leading Goalkicker – Adam Simpson
Best Finals Player – Lex Perry
Coach’s Award – David Smart
Best Clubman/Players Award – Lex Perry

Bayhawks

Best and Fairest –  Matt McDowall
Runner Up B&F  - Matt Payne
Best Cnadaian – Justin “Murph” Connie
Leading Goalkicker – Regen Daniel
Best Finals Player – Josh Barnes
Coach’s Award – Graham James
Best Clubman/Players’ Award – Graham James

Life Members Inducted

Congratulations to the two life members inducted into the club  Matthew Bell and Corina Aquino.  Matthew Bell has been a stalwart of BC Footy and the Burnaby Eagles including coaching the Eagles to a near perfect season in 2009.  Corina, Managing Director and CEO of Moose’s Downunder, has been a long standing supporter of the club.  We thanks both Corina and Matthew for their contributions to the Eagles and Bayhawks and we wish Matt the very best in his return home to Australia.

MCs Sheep Doggg$s and JV perform “Blue and Yellow” at the event

All positions are vacated and this is your chance to vote in the committee to take the club into 2012.

The meeting will not run past 2:30.

Carpools from downtown are available – Contact Lex Perry – 604 506 5852 to organise.

Further details and RSVP here:  https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=227340333992409

On another spectacular summer day, the Eagles were on the back foot early with the Cougars bringing their finals intensity.  Several players were missing from the Eagles’ line up in round nine, and it seemed it took a quarter for those folks to find their mojo.  The exception was big Chris “Sos” Piwarski, who had not played since injuring his head in round 7.  Sos was instrumental up forward in the first quarter essentially keeping his side in the contest.   Eagles down by 7 at the quarter.

After a (now almost customary) quarter time spray form coach Frodo, the Eagles came out in the second quarter much harder at the footy.  Perry moved into the centre and Lulu Simpson started to play up the field a little bringing older, bigger bodies closer to the contests.   Kirky and the centres started to gather clearances while Spencer and Jimmy O started to finish the work drilling the ball forward bringing big Sos and Lulu into the game.   The highlight was a streaking run down the wing by Spence resulting in a goal to fellow Canadian Jimmy Oertel.  I’m sure if the Canadian selectors were on hand they may have been wondering how those two boys didn’t make it to the international cup.  Eagles by 17 at the half.

The third, premiership quarter was a close contest with the midfield again standing up for the Eagles.  While the Cougars were more competitive across the ground the Eagles were miserly in defence with Jarad seldom losing a contest, Dave Kuss grabbing everything like it was a 3AM kebab, and coach Frodo clearing the ball out of the back half.  Highlight of the quarter was when Joal Kirk running off the half backline realised he’d had one too many stubbies and could no longer reach down to tap the ball onto the ground.  Fortunately he kicked in time and escaped penalty.  Eagles extending their lead to 40.

To their credit the Cougars competed fiercely to the end banging on a few late goals in the last quarter.  Realistically though the deficit by that time was far to great and the only men concerned were coach Frodo and Lulu (who thought we were only a goal up).  The highlight of the last quarter was no doubt the sweeping handball from Lulu to Kirky who then drew a defender to give Jimmy Oertel his third goal for the game.  I guess the speckie that set tat play up wasn’t bad either. Eagle home by 46 and into the grand final  (That’s the big dance for those unfamiliar with Aussie football terminology).

Results
Eagles 14 -7 -91
Cougars 6 – 9 45

Best: Kelly, Simpson, Perry, Piwarski, Kuss,  Ferguson, Oertel, Nebel, Conning  (Really Craig??  that’s like half the team!!)
Goals:  Piwarski 5, Simpson 3, Oertel3, Perry, Kuss, Vanderpol

In the other game a gallant Bayhawks went down to the West Coast Saints by 4 points in a low scoring affair

Saints 6 – 7 43
Bayhawks  5 – 9 39

Best:  Broomfield, Findlayson, McDowall, Dowe, Bettles, Barnes, James
Goals:  Findlayson 2, Daniel 2, McDowall 1

Footy in Vancouver - Eoin Tyrrell was fantastic in defence locking up several contests

Footy in Vancouver - the Eagles celebrate a goal

Footy in Vancouver - Where's the ball?

In glorious conditions both sides were forced to play short and while the result didn’t impact the final standings there was plenty of pride at stake for both teams; The Eagles keen to to finish the home and away season undefeated and the Bayhawks keen to post a win.

From the outset the Byahawks hit the ground running with a dominant midfield display reminiscent of their premiership winning form of 2010.  The midfield combinations of Sheep, Sceney, McDowall, Broomfield and Jonno dominated the centre clearances to post 3 goals 8 for the quarter.  Jonno played like a man possessed.  At one point he had so much time and space he was able to fertilize the field – possibly as a result of his gut wrenching running (but more likely something less wholesome).  At first they opted to pop the ball lace out onto Coach Regen’s chest, but after 5 behinds they wisely decided to just go over the top of him.  Bayhawks by 24 at quarter time.

The Eagles regrouped however. After losing Lulu Simson early to a suspected hunger related illness (the Girlfriend is away) the remaining Eagles, mostly Canadian, dug deep to copete harder in the second quarter.  Isberg and Oertel tightened up on their opponents and started to generate more drive out of the centre, whilst Dave Kuss and Jared rebounded out of the backline. Unfortunately for the Eagles though the Bayhawks finished the quarter strongly and started to convert their opportunities. 37 points in it at the half.

The Eagles moved Quinny up forward at half time and pushed Jarred into the ruck with immediate results.  The side instantly looked more balanced and it seemed they might have found a way to get back into it.  Quinn played his best game for the club wrapping his massive dukes around the pill on several occasions to set up a couple second half goals. Not content he carried his handy work into Buffalo Bills that night continuing to wrap his hands around whatever he could.  However the Bayhawks midfield proved too strong. They had the bigger stronger bodies and more desire on the day and essentially closed this one out by three quarter time – up by 47.

While the scoreboard may have looked harsh on the Eagles, this was a great opportunity for team’s 9 Canadian/Internationals to step up and play key roles before the finals against top quality opposition.  They’ll welcome back several players for the big clash with the Cougars as finals footy in BC kicks off!

In the other game the Cougars stormed home coming from 20 points down in the final quarter to overcome the Saints by seven points and take the Whistler Cup – which, now sits in pieces on the floor of whistler night spot Buffalo Bills

Results

Bayhawks  17 – 15 – 117 def
Eagles   6 – 12 – 48
Best Eagles: Oertel, Kuss, Quinn, Smart, Milne, Gibb.  Bayhawks: Johnno, Sheep, McDowall, Broomfield, Sceney ,
Goals Eagles: Oertel 2, Quinn 2, Isberg 1, Milne 1.  Bayhawks: Regen 4.9, Sheep 2 or 3, Some new guy 3, Sceney 1 and plenty of others.

Cougars  12 – 6 – 78 def
Saints   11 – 5 – 71

Eagles Canadian star Gino Branchiati returned from Thailand

In the first game a refreshed Bayhawks lead at all changes only to be overrun by the Saints by 4 points in the final quarter.  The highlight of the day was unquestionably Marlena Ginoccio ‘s tackle and goal assist in the third quarter.  We believe Marlena  is the first female to play senior football in BC footy and was among the best players for the Bayhawks.  Marlena will turn her attention to her Australian tour with the Canadian national  women’s team competing for the International Cup this August.

The Bayhawks also welcomed back 2010 premiership star Shaun “Sheepy” Finlayson as they build for the 2011 finals series.

Final score
WC Saints 76 Def Bayhawks 72
Best:  Marlena, McDowall, Finlayson, Connie (Murph), Justin, Broomfield

In the second game for the day Burnaby was off to a flyer to lead by 19 points a quarter time –  straight kicking could have had them even further ahead.   But the Cougars fought back hard to be only a point down at three quarter time and even surge ahead in the last quarter.  Coach Frodo delivered a stinging attack on his player at three quarter time, urging them to dig deep. .

And it seemed that the his  man crush “Lulu” Simpson listened.   Lulu did what we’va all heard Lulu can do, went into his phone-booth, popped on his superman outfit and came out a different player.  Beaten for most of the day,  Lulu took four hangers and goaled three times in the last quarter (he kicked six for the day) to eventually carry the Eagles to a six point, come from behind win.

Finals are shaping up to be an exciting affair.

Score:
Eagles 12.7.79
Cougars 11.7.73
Eagles Goals :  Simpson 6, McAdam, Milne 2, Isberg 1, Perry 1,
Best:  Simpson, McAdam, Kirk, Smart, R. McDonald, Oertel, Isberg, Gibb

Game Photo Gallery

Adam “lulu” Simpson, Lachy Scott (Saints), and Rusty McAdam were standouts for the BC team ably supported by young Canadians Patty Macvey and Al Karim Madjevi.  Macca (Cougars) and Hicksy (Saints) also supported well.

While most lads had some difficulty finding the ground due to their somewhat questionable overnight preparation, it was great to find Macca at ground waiting like a school kid with his footy, fresh as a daisy,  ready to go. One sensed he had been there since 8am doing some run throughs, while most of the rest of us were somewhere in Calgary still trying to flag a cab down to take us home.

After the game the BC Footy group put in a great showing at Calgary’s sponsor pup -Bottlescrew Bills where players form all four teams partied well into the hours of Sunday morning.

Many great stories could be shared on these pages but unfortunately what happens at Stampede, stays at Stampede.  Make sure you’re there next year to see for yourself.

BC Footy Girls Stampedin' at Bottlescrew Bills

BC Footy Team to take on Albertans

The Boys Talked Tactics at Nashville North

The boys catch up on a little sleep after a big Friday night

Rusty McAdam Blazes away form a pack

Lulu Simpson bursts through a pack

BC Footy returned to the Burnaby Eagles’ spiritual home on Saturday at the Burnaby Rugby fields.  Although technically a Vancouver home game the Eagles were determined to make their only outing on home soil a positive one and hopefully secure more games there in 2012.

Early rainfall dampened the carnival atmosphere however a very healthy crowd turned out to see the Wolfpack U18 side take on a Canadian outfit in a curtain raiser.  The friendly game was organized to prepare both teams for their Australian tour later this year and to put the junior and Canadian talent on display.  It was a great game packed with intensity and several highlights including impressive long bombs from the kids, who won the game by a few goals.

It was a great start to the Cougar’s annual Pumas/Cougars Lady’s day which saw more of the boys needing to drive home than perhaps even they had anticipated.  Missing coach Adam Kelly, and giant Zak Sperber and facing a Saints outfit determined to stay in the race for second place this game was always going to be a challenge for the Eagles.

The Saints adapted to the wet conditions more quickly than Burnaby, flooding defenders back and pushing the ball forward at every opportunity.  Big Clint Joy converted well for the Saints in his return and the Saints went in to the first break with a handy 9 point lead.

To compound problems for the Eagles star forward Chris Piwarski took a nasty blow to the head in the second quarter and had to be escorted to hospital.

This left the Eagles with just one on the interchange and forced them to alter their forward structure.  The second quarter was an arm wrestle with neither team taking advantage of their opportunities.  Both teams played extra players back effectively slowing the scoring and increasing the number of turnovers.  Saints by 8 at half time.

The second half saw several Eagles players find their mojo and start to outrun their Saint opponents.  Russell “Rusty” McAdam owned his wing and used the ball well setting up goals as well as picking up a couple for himself.  James Gibb, asked to toil all day in the ruck unrested, was everywhere and showed his versatility as a wet weather performer, and Adam “Lulu” Simpson started to  break his tag and presented endlessly to finish with five goals.  Joel Kirk, in his return was as solid as one of his Concrete counter tops and played an important stopping role at the centre clearances.  Dave Kuss, Jared Ferguson and David Smart clogged up the backline choking Joy’s supply and keeping to saints to just three goals for the half.  Dan Isberg, moved away from the midfield to play an important tagging role releasing the impressive Grant ‘Cuddles” Sceney, Spencer Nebel and Bert “PepsiMax”.  Al-Karim Madhavji continued his improvement and Perry managed to set a record for the most players ever named in a single paragraph.

The Eagles finished strongly and accurately kicking 4.1 in the final quarter to run out winners by 18.

In the second game the Bayhawks continued their improvement against the more experienced Cougars side.  The Bayhawks showed off several new recruits and still have some names to come back.  Highlight of the day was the Swedish connection.  Eric Lund took a sold mark on a half forward flank and pinpointed his brother Clayton 30m out who converted the goal.  The cougars might well be doing some goal kicking practice this week after squandering several easy opportunities.

Also if anyone saw the license plate on the bus that leveled out coach Regen Daniel please contact the club.

Round 7 Results
Eagles  10 – 7  – 72 def
WC Saints 8 – 6 – 54

Eagles Best: Simpson, Madhaji, Perry, McAdam, Sceney, Kuss, Gibb, Kirk
Eagles Goals: Simpson 5, Perry 3, McAdam 1, Piwarski 1

Bayhawks  7 – 4 – 46 Lost to
Cougars 7 – 22 -64

Bayhawks Best:  Brunner, C. Lund, Dowe, McDowell, Asperey, E. Lund, Ryan
Bayhawks Goals: Brunner 3, Ryan 2, Lund 2

Grant "Cuddles" Sceney barges through a Saints' tackle - Image courtesy of Burnaby Newsleader

Lex Perry competes for possession - Image courtesy of Burnaby Newsleader

On a more serious note the players wore black armbands as a mark of respect and support to Kate and Lulu who lost a great friend during the week.

Accordingly, coach Frodo’s pre match speech was nothing short of inspirational as he set his charges out to start work on securing top spot and clinching the much coveted double chance. “Footy is what footy is” implored Kelly. Accordingly several players trotted off to their positions scratching their heads a little trying to figure out exactly what this meant or what they were supposed to do. But clearly there was more to the game-plan than perhaps even this author realised as the Eagles set to work on what was probably their best four quarter performance for the year.

After conceding the first goal it did not take the boys long to start playing the structure that has lifted them to 6-0. Lulu and SOS were dominant targets up forward and the other forwards created the space necessary for them to boot four between them for the first half. While some coaching experimentation in the second quarter allowed the Cougars to get a couple of goals back, the Eagles again adjusted quickly to kick the last couple for the half and go into the main break 20 points ahead.

After a fairly well directed spray from the coaching staff, Justen “Jimmy” Oertel put in his best game for the club this year, possibly ever. Playing a full four quarters in the centre Jimmy covered about as much territory as we see the short armed hobbit cover on the Roxy dancefloor and was rewarded for his efforts pushing forward for a goal.

Other players playing their best game for the club included Eric “Nickname TBC” Vanderpol, who kicked his first ever goal, and Troy Brailsford who played an important tagging role up forward. Jared Furgason again was dominant in the backline and enjoyed some reprieve in the third quarter to sneak forward to kick his first goal and Dave Kuss was a welcome inclusion at centre half back. Grant “Cuddles” Sceney was dominant throughout the midfield helping Jimmy cover for the absence of Kirk and Spence.

But the story of the day was the break-out game of Adam “Lulu” Simpson who snared everything that came his way (except for the after-game pint which looked as though it must have had razor blades) and kicked truly for five goals.

With Kirky, Spence, Gino, Robyn, Paddy and others set to return the side is starting to shape up well for the finals.

In the other game a bolstered Bayhawks line up continued their improvement this year and lead at every change only to be overrun by a fitter well-drilled Saints team. Highlights for the Bayhawks included S. Grills heading to the pool room, to pull his framed jumper off the wall for “one more game” and the continued improvement of Matt “Lars” Payne, Graham “Van man” James and Clayton Lund.

Results
Eagles 12 -6 – 78 def Cougars 8 -5 – 53

Goals: Simpson 5, Piwarski 3, Perry, Vanderpol, Ferguson, Oertel 1
Best: Simpson, Perry, Madhavji (Mad Al), Isberg, Tyrell, Sceney, Oertel, McAdam, Brailsford
Tackles:  Lulu 1

Saints 12-11-83 def Bayhawks 9-3-57

Bayhawks best: McDowell, Tyley, Gibb, Payne, Aaron Brunner, Dowd
Goals: Tyley 4, Brunner, McDowell 2, Lund 1

Lulu had a breakout game scoring 5 goals and laying a career first tackle.

Players wore black armbands in support of Lulu and Kate who lost a great friend during the week.