By Mark Cianfagna
AFL Switzerland Reporter
After a great Round 3 by the lake in Lausanne, a shift in the schedule will have the reserves open play Saturday on the turf in Vessy. The furthest corner of Suisse-Romande has been kind to the hosts so far in AFL Switzerland history with Geneva perfect on home soil, including the 2019 Grand Final. The road teams will be looking to change that while also working to set up their chances to play in this year’s Final.
Reserves
Game 1 – Geneva Jets vs. Northern Bears
A complete Jets reserves roster will be fresh and ready to go for a home game. And it is a big one for the club as they will be celebrating the final match of reserves stalwart Greg Arnold and his boy, Lex, before they return to the land down under. The Bears will be less than complete with some injuries keeping players at home. It will be a tough test for the group and they will need players like Svenja Mueller Byrnes to step up and play a key role if they are to stay in the game. With Geneva having a full roster for both seniors and reserves, they will have lots of run out and the midday heat will likely not factor into their play.
Bold prediction: An inspired and together Jets squad will be too much for a light Bears group. Geneva by 10 goals.
Seniors
Game 2 – Geneva Jets vs. Zurich Giants
Having lost two straight games, Zurich needs a boost and it appears as though they will not get it for round 4. With some injuries still lingering from the last round, Zurich’s numbers will be low and a loss to Geneva would all but eliminate them from Grand Final contention. Geneva having the home game will mean a bolstered lineup and the return of Seb Permain, Rhys Allen and Rami Kais to the roster is bad news for the Giants. The Jets will be hoping to put on a show for the home crowd and lock up a top two spot with a big win. Zurich’s key to keeping this one close will be their always strong midfield winning lots of clearances and it will require straighter kicking than they mustered in Lausanne in Round 3.
Bold prediction: Geneva’s strong lineup matched with Zurich’s shortened roster means the Jets will run away with this one.
Game 3 – Basel Dragons vs. Winterthur Lions
Already forfeit due to a lack of bodies for Basel, this game will be a scratchy with the Lions taking on a ragtag team of whomever wants a kick. It may be a chance for some new players to show off some skills and a chance for the development of some young Swiss players. Basel captain Nils Schmitt suffered a season-ending injury during the European Championships and their already depleted roster just couldn’t be replenished in order to have a fair match. The forfeit and automatic win guarantees that the Winterthur Lions will play in their first ever AFL Switzerland Grand Final in September.
