By Emma Francis & Matthew Serventy (GJAFC)
Reserves – Northern Bears vs Geneva Jets
The weather was not ideal for the opening of the new league but the poor conditions were not enough to deter the Northern Bears and Geneva Jets from contesting the very first of the AFL Switzerland matches hosted in Winterthur at Stadion Deutweg on Saturday.
Throughout this season, the Geneva Jets reserve side will play the combined Northern Bears side (Basel, Winterthur, Zurich) in games of 4 x 15 minute quarters. The reserves competition is increasing the opportunities to play football in Switzerland and particularly aims to help beginning and developing players learn more about the game.
The Bears won the toss, electing to kick with the wind in their favour. Undaunted, the Jets dominated the first half, scoring 8 goals to the Bears’ 4 behinds, with Campbell Macknight and Adam Thomas the standouts for Geneva before the main break.
The Bears fought back in the third quarter with a three goal revival but the Jets shifted up a gear to storm home in the fourth quarter and pile on 6 more goals to take the first match of the day by 78 points.
| Northern Bears | 5 | 9 | 39 |
| Geneva Jets | 18 | 9 | 117 |
Seniors – Winterthur Lions vs Basel Dragons
The opening match of the senior’s round proved an even contest with each team having a very competitive hit-out. Basel controlled the the early stages and held the lead going into the main break 4.6.30 to Winterthur 1.1.7.
In the second half, the Dragon’s wasted opportunities in front of goal, giving Winterthur an opening and they pulled the game back within reach. The Lions battled hard but were beaten by the siren with the game resulting in a sensational draw.
The Dragons’ Darren Waldron and skipper Hadleigh Fischer were two of Basel’s best each scoring a goal apiece, while Wim Zimmerman was unshakeable in the ruck for Winterthur.
| Winterthur Lions | 6 | 4 | 40 |
| Basel Dragons | 5 | 10 | 40 |
Seniors – Winterthur Lions vs Geneva Jets
Geneva entered the field full of confidence for their first senior match of the 2019 season and they did not disappoint. With ruckman Kim Keedle winning the bulk of the hit-outs ably supported by Ryan Hoult and Tommy Ross, the Jets ran rampant in the first half, going to the break with a 41-point lead. Winterthur could only manage a solitary behind for the half.
Winterthur fought bravely but with Josh Drake kicking five goals and Benoit Vittori solid in defence, the Lions were kept to just 2 behinds for the match and and the high-flying Jets ran out comfortable 98-point victors.
| Winterthur Lions | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Geneva Jets | 14 | 16 | 100 |
Seniors – Basel Dragons vs Geneva Jets
With soft rain falling at the beginning of the final match, the Jets had the early ascendency but as the weather deteriorated rapidly and heavy rain and cold winds took effect, the Dragons were soon within reach as the game became bogged down. The stronger body work of Basel allowed them to capitalise on some messy ball handling and they created numerous chances to peg back the score.
The margin then hung in the balance with neither team able to convincingly break away. Jets’ captain Joel Aitken moved to the back half to try and steady the ship and ensure the Dragons didn’t take the lead. With some confusion about the score, the Jets last ditch efforts were to have been in vain. As the siren sounded, the Dragons had finished ahead by two points in a hard-fought match.
| Basel Dragons | 7 | 6 | 48 |
| Geneva Jets | 7 | 4 | 46 |
All in all, a successful first outing despite the weather with very even results. It was good to see that the skill level has improved significantly even since the first tournament in November. A big thanks to Winterthur for providing a great venue with excellent amenities.
