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.

Bold prediction: Well, no need for a prediction as the Lions already get the 4 points, but should be a fun match to close out the day.

By Mark Cianfagna
AFL Switzerland Reporter

Round 3 is set to be played at the most scenic AFL Switzerland venue: the LUC Rugby ground lakeside in Lausanne. Complete with unobstructed views of the Chablais Alps, it provides a scene like no other for footy. A hot, sunny day is expected, so slip, slop, slap and let’s get to some football australien!

Seniors

Game 1 – Geneva Jets vs. Basel Dragons

Game one will be played between the de facto host Geneva Jets and the Basel Dragons; ball up at noon. With the Jets coming off a loss, and with some key players back in the lineup, they will look the goods and likely dominate this match, trying to jump back into a top two spot with a big percentage change and some help in the other seniors match. The Jets are hoping for a full game from new ruckman Nick Hart, after he had to retire early in their Round 2 match. The Dragons, who have been struggling to keep games close, may again rely on some help from other clubs to fill out numbers, but will nonetheless be as formidable as always. The four week break will likely only mean improvements in team play and skill development for the young squad. Keep an eye out for Andrew Donbeirer in the red, black and white as he loves to play against the Jets and always shines against tough opponents. The opener of the day will likely be far from a barn-burner, but will kick-start the AFL campaign in Suisse-Romande.

Bold prediction: Jets win big while Dragons make improvements.

Game 2 – Zurich Giants vs. Winterthur Lions

Game two has all the pieces to be an absolute scorcher of a match between the top two teams on the ladder, the leading Winterthur Lions and the second-place Zurich Giants. The Lions are looking to continue their strong momentum built up in the first two rounds and create some space at the top of the ladder. According to their president, they should have a full squad coming down on the train and will be looking to get some revenge on geographical rival Zurich, who kept them out of last year’s Grand Final on percentage only. The Giants are hoping that with the return of some of their key players, they’ll have the skills to keep up. A win could push them to the top of the ladder, a place they are looking to grab and hold on to for the rest of the season, hoping to return for another shot at a premiership. A loss will likely drop them to third and will mean some catching up in the second half of the season for a chance at the flag.

A hot mid-afternoon day could play a role in how the match shapes out, but it should be a ripper of a game with both sides battling hard for the full 72 minutes.

Bold prediction: Let’s give the Lions their due, they’ve worked hard for years to get to the top and we don’t see them relinquishing that place easily. They’ll keep rolling and win this one by four goals.

Reserves

Game 3 – Geneva Jets vs. Northern Bears

With the Jets ressies likely to have a full squad and fewer players working double duty this week, they will be fresh and ready to avenge the last-kick loss in Round 2 in Winterthur. The Bears have been improving week over week, recruitment has been up and their confidence will be high after a close win last round. There is no question that they will keep this match tight and lead at times. They have shown that they can close a match, coming from behind in both games so far this season, and finishing the job in Round 2. They will be looking to buck the trend and have a strong start, allowing them to play with a lead and forcing the Jets onto their heels early. The Jets will have to respond with their team play and hope to keep their cool if the Bears attack early.

Bold prediction: The young legs of the north will continue to provide a test for the full four quarters, but the Jets skill advantage is likely to shine through in this one, leading to a comfortable win in the uncomfortable heat.