2004 Season Summary (as used for B&F night)
Game 1 – Cougars v Victoria
It was with great anticipation that the Cougars sailed across the straight to face the newly formed Victoria Lions. The day began sensationally with Tommy O not only making the ferry on time but also somehow managing to jump the queue ahead of the Cougar convoy.
The game began in gale force winds. Within minutes Campo had snagged his first for season. This was followed by a typically pretty Rob Marshall goal, then another from "The Phantom". Big Adam "The Brickwall" was solid at fullback repelling the Lion's time and again.
Randy Dick was on-fire in the forward line, while "Lion-for-the-day" Ash was proving a handful for the Cougars.
In a scene that would have brought a tear to "Fists" Thornton’s' eye, "Brad "The Jab" Gill brought the crowd to its' feet with an altercation in front of the grand stand.
Late in the last quarter, the Lions kicked an early goal to draw within 8 points, but the Cougars were not to be denied. But as the final siren sounded and the score was announced over the PA system, it was the Cougars home by 8 points: 6.3-39 to Victoria 4.5-31
No Votes issued
Game 2 – Cougars v Victoria
Yet another glorious Vancouver day in late May saw the Cougars come out for their 2nd hit out of the season against Victoria in a three-way mini tournament with Seattle.
The game saw Cougars legend and veteran Handyman Hilton reached the magic 25 game club. (He was joined in the very next game as Goalsneak Jase also posted 25 games).
Despite having just played a game only 30 minutes before, Victoria came out with guns a-blazing in the first half and the game was physically affair with some fantastic body on bodywork from both teams.
Campo, fresh from a 5 goal outing in the Cougars v Eagles game a few weeks before, was naturally thrust into the back-line for this game and played some inspirational football. Thanks to some hard fighting work in the packs by Becks and Shine, the Cougars showed passages of brilliance to bomb the ball deep into the forwardline.
One of the highlights of the game was the unearthing of a potentially new and devastating forwardline force – Andrew “Pretty Boy” Farr. Throughout the game he led hard and pulled down seemingly everything that came his way. Playing his first game in a long time, none other than Slim Keyhoe showed flashes of Dermie Breaton as he crashed the packs. First gamer Mike Setta snagged a great little goal from the pocket and the Cougars the Cougars were home. : 5.1-31 to Victoria 3.10.28
1 Vote - Doug Vargo
2 Votes - Cam Mitchell
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Peter Champion
5 Votes - Andrew Farr
Game 3 – Cougars v Seattle
For Game 2 of the mini tournament it was traditional rivals Vancouver and Seattle the headed for battle.
As with the Victoria game, this game quickly settled into a hard hitting scrappy affair. The deadlock was broken early when Glamour Boy Vargo snuck down into the forward line, took a nice mark, spent the obligatory 30 odd seconds considering, but ultimately ignoring all leads, then proceeding to slot a nice left footer from the boundary to register his 50th career goal for the Cougars.
However, it was soon to be all Seattle as despite the relatively closeness of the game, Seattle got the better on the scoreboard as they proceeded to slot through four of the next 4 goals. Only a magnificent on the run goal by Special K kept the Cougars in it.
The Cougars would not be outdone however, kicking with the wind in the second half they began to take over. Campo was once again solid in the backline, while Punter Mitchell was playing a blinder in the back flank. The rest of the game was all Cougars as they peppered the goals. Goalsneak Stratford slotted 5 points as he just couldn’t quite manage to get it through the sticks.
Late in the game Cashie made his own highlight reel play as he proceeded to put in a thumping hip and shoulder that took out two Seattle players in one hit. In all, a solid come from behind win by the Cougars 4.11.35 to Seattle 4.1.25.
1 Vote - Jason Stratford
2 Votes - Peter Champion
3 Votes - Chris Freeman
4 Votes - Doug Vargo
5 Votes - Rob Marshall
Game 4 – Cougars v Victoria
Set to be the feature of the Richmond festival, it was with some disappointment that the Cougars showed up to magnificent Minoru Oval in Richmond to find a bunch of cricketers all over our ground. After an hour or so of uncertainty, the boys headed off to a nearby school where the Handyman was quick to do his thing and in no time, some goalposts were erected and a ground marked out.
Leading up to game time, the Lions were looking slick and determined. Due to a lack of numbers, the Lions were lucky enough to garner the services of some of the Cougars finest - as Campo, Handyman, Morgs, and Punter volunteered to make up their numbers. Whilst initially not keen to play for the Lions, Cashie quickly put his hand up after discovering the Lions had nice new lightweight jumpers that would make his muscles look big and shiney in the sunlight.
The game saw the unearthing of some great new talent for the Cougars as Ash Gas, Matty Werndog and Pumpkin Green all looked dangerous around the ground. As the game wore on, it quickly turned into a goalfest.
Despite reportedly “walking on one leg”, Pretty Boy Farr overcame his injury to score a couple of late goals as did Pumps who by his own account had gathered “around 10-15 grabs” for the game. Bobby chimed in with 3 goals himself in the rort. Coops, - under the “guise” of chasing his opponent drifted into the forwardline to try and add to his career tally of 1 goal. Unfortunately he could only post a couple of near misses.
The highlight of the last quarter though, had to be the magnificent smoother laid by Cashie for Victoria…. That is, the smother he laid with his head. After 3 & a 1/2 quarters of constant yapping, Cashie was remarkable quiet for a few moments as he imprinted the T.W.Sherrin mark imprinted on the side of his face. Play was temporarily stopped so all and sundry could basically have a good laugh. In the end, the Cougars by a blowout. 14.10.98 to Victoria 4.4.28
1 Vote - Stewy Green
2 Votes - Pete Taylor
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Matt Werner
5 Votes - Ash Gasman
Game 5 – Cougars v Victoria
It was on a scorching hot 35-degree day that 15 Cougars headed down to Seattle for another 3-way mini-tournament between Vancouver, Seattle and Victoria.
Despite having just played a game only 30 minutes before, the Victoria boys came out and gave it everything they had. From the start, the Cougars centreline of Bobby, Freemo, and the Glamour Boy were in control and sending the ball long. Stewy “NoLongerDue” Green continued his good form from the previous game and registered an early major, one of four for the game. The Cougars welcomed back Goalsneak Jase who did his usual magic and weaved his way through some gaps to slot through 4 nice goals for the game.
As the game wore on the heat was beginning to catch up to the Victoria team as the fresher Cougars seemed to go from strength to strength. Fists seemed to be taking marks at will across the Centre Half Forwardline while the backline players were as per usual working hard and refusing to give up even a point without a fight. Coops and Pete Taylor as always formed the initial wall across the CHB line, while Ted Bundy, Robbo, Mick and Morgs wore their opponents like gloves.
In the end, the Cougars by a blowout - 12.9.81 to Victoria 1.5.9
1 Vote - Evan Wizirny
2 Votes - Stewy Green
3 Votes - Jason Stratford
4 Votes - Andrew Thornton
5 Votes - Doug Vargo
Game 6 – Cougars v Seattle
Despite now having to deal with the Seattle Sun, the second game of the min tournament was remarkably similar to game one, with the Cougars asserting dominance early across the field and on the scoreboard. As a result.
The only significant difference was the dominance of big Andrew “Fists” Thornton who played out the second game at full-forward after having sustained a minor foot injury in the first game. From the first quarter it was obvious that Fists has mastered the art of using his big arse to bump his opponents out of the way to take a number of nice, almost uncontested, marks. The big man played this move to perfection and snagged 5 classy goals.
The game also saw the emergence of a new force at the Cougars Andrew “Pretty Boy” Farr became Andrew “The Farrtrain” Farr. In an awesome display of ferocity (either that or just pure luck), the Farrtrain mowed down Seattle ruckman Big John, a man 3 inches and about 50 pounds heavier, with a bone crunching hip and shoulder. As Big John gasped for breath on the ground, the Farrtrain’s only concern was the nail on his little pinky finger that was slightly torn from the bump.
1 Vote - Chris Freeman
2 Votes - Tony Cooper
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Andrew Thornton
5 Votes - Pete Taylor
Game 7 – Vancouver vs. Victoria
Playing the 3rd installment of the BC Footy Cup, it was a determined Vancouver Cougars who were determined to keep their trophy firmly in BC and continue their season unbeaten steak alive.
Big Pete Taylor continued his solid mid season form and proved that age is no barrier with another sensational game across the CHB line. The Cougars centleline was very solid with the Glamour having a good game in the ruck and constantly feeding it to the likes of Bobby and Ash Gas who seemed to be all over the ground. Gassy put in a couple of claims for mark of the year as the little man rose up on more than one occasion.
The goals were spread amongst the forwards as the Farr-train, Werndog and Goalsneak Stratford logged a couple each. The Guru came out for his first game of the season and as always slotted in right next to his backline mate Coops as they stitched up the backline.
Once again, it was the efforts of the Cougars northern stars that burned brightly for the Cougars. Robbo and Mikey Setta were constantly getting into great position and making their presence felt.
In the end the Cougars were simply too good for the Lions. 8.9.63 to Victoria 3.3.21.
1 Vote - Chris Freeman
2 Votes - Pete Taylor
3 Votes - Andrew Farr
4 Votes - Craig Shepard
5 Votes - Ash Gasman
Game 8 – Vancouver vs. Alberta Magpies
After a solid win vs. Victoria in their first game the combined team of the Calgary Kangaroos and Red Deer Magpies were fired up to take on the home team the Cougars.
As they did with Victoria, Alberta came out blazing through the centre and tested the Cougars backline early.
From the start, the Magpies came out blazing and delivered the ball long into their forwardline. Pete Taylor was once again the rock for the Cougars and seemed to be a magnet for the ball.
Coops showed his back-to-back B&F form by playing his best game of the season across the backline, while the Werndog was solid across the CHF line.
Happy Freeman, Gassy and Shep were trying their best across the centre, while the Farr-train slotted a couple up forward with Mike Setta continuing to show solid improvement in the pocket.
The Cougars battled hard, but could not defeat the Magpies in a low scoring affair.
Final Score - Van 4.5.29 v Alberta 6.9.45
1 Vote - Tony Cooper
2 Votes - Jason Straford
3 Votes - Ash Gasman
4 Votes - Matty Werner
5 Votes - Pete Taylor
Game 9 – Cougars v Victoria
As the Cougars road train headed towards Tsawwassen for the short ferry ride over to Victoria, the signs were ominous early as the thick black clouds began to close in at a rapid rate and the boys arrived into Victoria as the rain began to tumble at a thunderous rate.
As the crew unloaded at Landsdowne High School, the Cougars, (already down to 16 players) began to realise something was missing. That something turned out to be Morgan. Yeeeess, despite sitting with us on the ferry, putting his bag downstairs in Teddy’s car, young Morgan didn’t really clue into the fact that when the ferry arrived into Victoria he needed to go down to the car !!
From the start of the game, the Cougars were faced with the unfortunate story of having to line up with 14 players to Victoria’s 17. Despite this, the Cougar’s were determined to battle on.
From the opening bounce, the Lions were superb. Despite extremely sloppy condition, the Lions centreline seemed to have the ball on a string and by the end of the first quarter, the Lions had piled on 5 goals to nil. The total would probably have been a lot greater had it not been for the fearless backline play of The Rock Bannan, Guru Edmonds, Pete Taylor and the Glamour Boy. As the wet ball turned the game into a war of attrition Bobby Marshall was the one inspiration in the centre for the Cougars and was constantly diving into packs to try and get some movement happening.
However, as the third and fourth quarters played out, the Cougars just could not get on the scoreboard.
Final Score – Cougars 0.1.01 to Victoria 9.8.62.
1 Vote - Andrew Farr
2 Votes - Ash Bushell
3 Votes - Rob Edmonds
4 Votes - Brendan Bannan
5 Votes - Rob Marshall
Game 10 – The Grand Final Cougars v Seattle
The 2004 Grand Final will probably be remembered in the history books, not for the superb last quarter effort by the boys to snatch a 3rd NWPAFL title, but for the number and magnitude of injuries sustained by the team.
From the start, Vancouver looked strong, and the Cougars forwardline was switched on. Randy Dick was proving very elusive and took some great marks up forward while Goalsneak Jase and the Farr-train were causing headaches for the Seattle backman as they slotted home a couple of goals between them.
A couple of undisciplined plays by the Cougars resulted in two 50 metre penalties that allowed the Grizzlies to get right back in the game. Teddy Bundy continued to impress with his disciplined play and hard straight lines at the ball. Midway through the 2nd quarter the craziness began. The Cougars lost its major playmaker and Captain Bobby Marshall to a knee injury, which saw him out for the game. Moments later, Johnny Klump had a freak fall and he ended up breaking his cheekbone and his nose. Punter Mitchell then had a clash of heads with an opponent and ended up having his head split open. Next, it was Shine’s turn. Going for seemingly an innocent ball, he fell awkwardly and ended up breaking his wrist!! With moments left in the quarter, Johnny Milleur – having done his knee in last years Grannie managed to fracture his collarbone.
It surely couldn’t get worse for the Cougars, but within minutes of the 3rd quarter starting, Glamour Boy Vargo copped an elbow to the side of the head which not only semi-concussed him, but as he tried to stand up, he managed to roll his ankle as he fell back down. So with 6 players now missing from various position’s all over the ground, it was time for others to step up, and that they did. Shep really cranked it up a notch and was seemingly everywhere across the centre. The Farr-Train begun to make the forwardline his own. The big man was taking marks all over the place while Goalsneak Jase was having a great Grand Final and slotted home his 3rd for the game to give the Cougars some much needed breathing space. In the end, it was a resurgent Cougars who had dug down deep and cracked the title.
Cougars 9.7.63 to Seattle 8.4.52
It was with great anticipation that the Cougars sailed across the straight to face the newly formed Victoria Lions. The day began sensationally with Tommy O not only making the ferry on time but also somehow managing to jump the queue ahead of the Cougar convoy.
The game began in gale force winds. Within minutes Campo had snagged his first for season. This was followed by a typically pretty Rob Marshall goal, then another from "The Phantom". Big Adam "The Brickwall" was solid at fullback repelling the Lion's time and again.
Randy Dick was on-fire in the forward line, while "Lion-for-the-day" Ash was proving a handful for the Cougars.
In a scene that would have brought a tear to "Fists" Thornton’s' eye, "Brad "The Jab" Gill brought the crowd to its' feet with an altercation in front of the grand stand.
Late in the last quarter, the Lions kicked an early goal to draw within 8 points, but the Cougars were not to be denied. But as the final siren sounded and the score was announced over the PA system, it was the Cougars home by 8 points: 6.3-39 to Victoria 4.5-31
No Votes issued
Game 2 – Cougars v Victoria
Yet another glorious Vancouver day in late May saw the Cougars come out for their 2nd hit out of the season against Victoria in a three-way mini tournament with Seattle.
The game saw Cougars legend and veteran Handyman Hilton reached the magic 25 game club. (He was joined in the very next game as Goalsneak Jase also posted 25 games).
Despite having just played a game only 30 minutes before, Victoria came out with guns a-blazing in the first half and the game was physically affair with some fantastic body on bodywork from both teams.
Campo, fresh from a 5 goal outing in the Cougars v Eagles game a few weeks before, was naturally thrust into the back-line for this game and played some inspirational football. Thanks to some hard fighting work in the packs by Becks and Shine, the Cougars showed passages of brilliance to bomb the ball deep into the forwardline.
One of the highlights of the game was the unearthing of a potentially new and devastating forwardline force – Andrew “Pretty Boy” Farr. Throughout the game he led hard and pulled down seemingly everything that came his way. Playing his first game in a long time, none other than Slim Keyhoe showed flashes of Dermie Breaton as he crashed the packs. First gamer Mike Setta snagged a great little goal from the pocket and the Cougars the Cougars were home. : 5.1-31 to Victoria 3.10.28
1 Vote - Doug Vargo
2 Votes - Cam Mitchell
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Peter Champion
5 Votes - Andrew Farr
Game 3 – Cougars v Seattle
For Game 2 of the mini tournament it was traditional rivals Vancouver and Seattle the headed for battle.
As with the Victoria game, this game quickly settled into a hard hitting scrappy affair. The deadlock was broken early when Glamour Boy Vargo snuck down into the forward line, took a nice mark, spent the obligatory 30 odd seconds considering, but ultimately ignoring all leads, then proceeding to slot a nice left footer from the boundary to register his 50th career goal for the Cougars.
However, it was soon to be all Seattle as despite the relatively closeness of the game, Seattle got the better on the scoreboard as they proceeded to slot through four of the next 4 goals. Only a magnificent on the run goal by Special K kept the Cougars in it.
The Cougars would not be outdone however, kicking with the wind in the second half they began to take over. Campo was once again solid in the backline, while Punter Mitchell was playing a blinder in the back flank. The rest of the game was all Cougars as they peppered the goals. Goalsneak Stratford slotted 5 points as he just couldn’t quite manage to get it through the sticks.
Late in the game Cashie made his own highlight reel play as he proceeded to put in a thumping hip and shoulder that took out two Seattle players in one hit. In all, a solid come from behind win by the Cougars 4.11.35 to Seattle 4.1.25.
1 Vote - Jason Stratford
2 Votes - Peter Champion
3 Votes - Chris Freeman
4 Votes - Doug Vargo
5 Votes - Rob Marshall
Game 4 – Cougars v Victoria
Set to be the feature of the Richmond festival, it was with some disappointment that the Cougars showed up to magnificent Minoru Oval in Richmond to find a bunch of cricketers all over our ground. After an hour or so of uncertainty, the boys headed off to a nearby school where the Handyman was quick to do his thing and in no time, some goalposts were erected and a ground marked out.
Leading up to game time, the Lions were looking slick and determined. Due to a lack of numbers, the Lions were lucky enough to garner the services of some of the Cougars finest - as Campo, Handyman, Morgs, and Punter volunteered to make up their numbers. Whilst initially not keen to play for the Lions, Cashie quickly put his hand up after discovering the Lions had nice new lightweight jumpers that would make his muscles look big and shiney in the sunlight.
The game saw the unearthing of some great new talent for the Cougars as Ash Gas, Matty Werndog and Pumpkin Green all looked dangerous around the ground. As the game wore on, it quickly turned into a goalfest.
Despite reportedly “walking on one leg”, Pretty Boy Farr overcame his injury to score a couple of late goals as did Pumps who by his own account had gathered “around 10-15 grabs” for the game. Bobby chimed in with 3 goals himself in the rort. Coops, - under the “guise” of chasing his opponent drifted into the forwardline to try and add to his career tally of 1 goal. Unfortunately he could only post a couple of near misses.
The highlight of the last quarter though, had to be the magnificent smoother laid by Cashie for Victoria…. That is, the smother he laid with his head. After 3 & a 1/2 quarters of constant yapping, Cashie was remarkable quiet for a few moments as he imprinted the T.W.Sherrin mark imprinted on the side of his face. Play was temporarily stopped so all and sundry could basically have a good laugh. In the end, the Cougars by a blowout. 14.10.98 to Victoria 4.4.28
1 Vote - Stewy Green
2 Votes - Pete Taylor
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Matt Werner
5 Votes - Ash Gasman
Game 5 – Cougars v Victoria
It was on a scorching hot 35-degree day that 15 Cougars headed down to Seattle for another 3-way mini-tournament between Vancouver, Seattle and Victoria.
Despite having just played a game only 30 minutes before, the Victoria boys came out and gave it everything they had. From the start, the Cougars centreline of Bobby, Freemo, and the Glamour Boy were in control and sending the ball long. Stewy “NoLongerDue” Green continued his good form from the previous game and registered an early major, one of four for the game. The Cougars welcomed back Goalsneak Jase who did his usual magic and weaved his way through some gaps to slot through 4 nice goals for the game.
As the game wore on the heat was beginning to catch up to the Victoria team as the fresher Cougars seemed to go from strength to strength. Fists seemed to be taking marks at will across the Centre Half Forwardline while the backline players were as per usual working hard and refusing to give up even a point without a fight. Coops and Pete Taylor as always formed the initial wall across the CHB line, while Ted Bundy, Robbo, Mick and Morgs wore their opponents like gloves.
In the end, the Cougars by a blowout - 12.9.81 to Victoria 1.5.9
1 Vote - Evan Wizirny
2 Votes - Stewy Green
3 Votes - Jason Stratford
4 Votes - Andrew Thornton
5 Votes - Doug Vargo
Game 6 – Cougars v Seattle
Despite now having to deal with the Seattle Sun, the second game of the min tournament was remarkably similar to game one, with the Cougars asserting dominance early across the field and on the scoreboard. As a result.
The only significant difference was the dominance of big Andrew “Fists” Thornton who played out the second game at full-forward after having sustained a minor foot injury in the first game. From the first quarter it was obvious that Fists has mastered the art of using his big arse to bump his opponents out of the way to take a number of nice, almost uncontested, marks. The big man played this move to perfection and snagged 5 classy goals.
The game also saw the emergence of a new force at the Cougars Andrew “Pretty Boy” Farr became Andrew “The Farrtrain” Farr. In an awesome display of ferocity (either that or just pure luck), the Farrtrain mowed down Seattle ruckman Big John, a man 3 inches and about 50 pounds heavier, with a bone crunching hip and shoulder. As Big John gasped for breath on the ground, the Farrtrain’s only concern was the nail on his little pinky finger that was slightly torn from the bump.
1 Vote - Chris Freeman
2 Votes - Tony Cooper
3 Votes - Rob Marshall
4 Votes - Andrew Thornton
5 Votes - Pete Taylor
Game 7 – Vancouver vs. Victoria
Playing the 3rd installment of the BC Footy Cup, it was a determined Vancouver Cougars who were determined to keep their trophy firmly in BC and continue their season unbeaten steak alive.
Big Pete Taylor continued his solid mid season form and proved that age is no barrier with another sensational game across the CHB line. The Cougars centleline was very solid with the Glamour having a good game in the ruck and constantly feeding it to the likes of Bobby and Ash Gas who seemed to be all over the ground. Gassy put in a couple of claims for mark of the year as the little man rose up on more than one occasion.
The goals were spread amongst the forwards as the Farr-train, Werndog and Goalsneak Stratford logged a couple each. The Guru came out for his first game of the season and as always slotted in right next to his backline mate Coops as they stitched up the backline.
Once again, it was the efforts of the Cougars northern stars that burned brightly for the Cougars. Robbo and Mikey Setta were constantly getting into great position and making their presence felt.
In the end the Cougars were simply too good for the Lions. 8.9.63 to Victoria 3.3.21.
1 Vote - Chris Freeman
2 Votes - Pete Taylor
3 Votes - Andrew Farr
4 Votes - Craig Shepard
5 Votes - Ash Gasman
Game 8 – Vancouver vs. Alberta Magpies
After a solid win vs. Victoria in their first game the combined team of the Calgary Kangaroos and Red Deer Magpies were fired up to take on the home team the Cougars.
As they did with Victoria, Alberta came out blazing through the centre and tested the Cougars backline early.
From the start, the Magpies came out blazing and delivered the ball long into their forwardline. Pete Taylor was once again the rock for the Cougars and seemed to be a magnet for the ball.
Coops showed his back-to-back B&F form by playing his best game of the season across the backline, while the Werndog was solid across the CHF line.
Happy Freeman, Gassy and Shep were trying their best across the centre, while the Farr-train slotted a couple up forward with Mike Setta continuing to show solid improvement in the pocket.
The Cougars battled hard, but could not defeat the Magpies in a low scoring affair.
Final Score - Van 4.5.29 v Alberta 6.9.45
1 Vote - Tony Cooper
2 Votes - Jason Straford
3 Votes - Ash Gasman
4 Votes - Matty Werner
5 Votes - Pete Taylor
Game 9 – Cougars v Victoria
As the Cougars road train headed towards Tsawwassen for the short ferry ride over to Victoria, the signs were ominous early as the thick black clouds began to close in at a rapid rate and the boys arrived into Victoria as the rain began to tumble at a thunderous rate.
As the crew unloaded at Landsdowne High School, the Cougars, (already down to 16 players) began to realise something was missing. That something turned out to be Morgan. Yeeeess, despite sitting with us on the ferry, putting his bag downstairs in Teddy’s car, young Morgan didn’t really clue into the fact that when the ferry arrived into Victoria he needed to go down to the car !!
From the start of the game, the Cougars were faced with the unfortunate story of having to line up with 14 players to Victoria’s 17. Despite this, the Cougar’s were determined to battle on.
From the opening bounce, the Lions were superb. Despite extremely sloppy condition, the Lions centreline seemed to have the ball on a string and by the end of the first quarter, the Lions had piled on 5 goals to nil. The total would probably have been a lot greater had it not been for the fearless backline play of The Rock Bannan, Guru Edmonds, Pete Taylor and the Glamour Boy. As the wet ball turned the game into a war of attrition Bobby Marshall was the one inspiration in the centre for the Cougars and was constantly diving into packs to try and get some movement happening.
However, as the third and fourth quarters played out, the Cougars just could not get on the scoreboard.
Final Score – Cougars 0.1.01 to Victoria 9.8.62.
1 Vote - Andrew Farr
2 Votes - Ash Bushell
3 Votes - Rob Edmonds
4 Votes - Brendan Bannan
5 Votes - Rob Marshall
Game 10 – The Grand Final Cougars v Seattle
The 2004 Grand Final will probably be remembered in the history books, not for the superb last quarter effort by the boys to snatch a 3rd NWPAFL title, but for the number and magnitude of injuries sustained by the team.
From the start, Vancouver looked strong, and the Cougars forwardline was switched on. Randy Dick was proving very elusive and took some great marks up forward while Goalsneak Jase and the Farr-train were causing headaches for the Seattle backman as they slotted home a couple of goals between them.
A couple of undisciplined plays by the Cougars resulted in two 50 metre penalties that allowed the Grizzlies to get right back in the game. Teddy Bundy continued to impress with his disciplined play and hard straight lines at the ball. Midway through the 2nd quarter the craziness began. The Cougars lost its major playmaker and Captain Bobby Marshall to a knee injury, which saw him out for the game. Moments later, Johnny Klump had a freak fall and he ended up breaking his cheekbone and his nose. Punter Mitchell then had a clash of heads with an opponent and ended up having his head split open. Next, it was Shine’s turn. Going for seemingly an innocent ball, he fell awkwardly and ended up breaking his wrist!! With moments left in the quarter, Johnny Milleur – having done his knee in last years Grannie managed to fracture his collarbone.
It surely couldn’t get worse for the Cougars, but within minutes of the 3rd quarter starting, Glamour Boy Vargo copped an elbow to the side of the head which not only semi-concussed him, but as he tried to stand up, he managed to roll his ankle as he fell back down. So with 6 players now missing from various position’s all over the ground, it was time for others to step up, and that they did. Shep really cranked it up a notch and was seemingly everywhere across the centre. The Farr-Train begun to make the forwardline his own. The big man was taking marks all over the place while Goalsneak Jase was having a great Grand Final and slotted home his 3rd for the game to give the Cougars some much needed breathing space. In the end, it was a resurgent Cougars who had dug down deep and cracked the title.
Cougars 9.7.63 to Seattle 8.4.52
1 Vote - Colin Hilton
2 Votes - Jason Straford
3 Votes - Randy Dickins
4 Votes - Craig Shepard
5 Votes - Andrew Farr
Final Tally
19 Votes - Rob Marshall
14 Votes - Pete Taylor
14 Votes - Andrew Farr
13 Votes - Ash Gas
10 Votes - Doug Vargo
8 Votes - Matty Werndog
8 Votes - Andrew Thornton
8 Votes - Jason Stratford
8 Votes - Craig Shepard
6 Votes - Peter Campion
5 Votes - Chris Freeman
4 Votes - Brendan Bannan
3 Votes - Rob Edmonds
3 Votes - Randy Dickins
3 Votes - Stew Green
3 Votes - Tony Cooper
2 Votes - Ash Bushell
2 Votes - Cam Mitchell
1 Vote - Evan Wizirny
1 Vote - Colin Hilton
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