By Mark Cianfagna
AFL Switzerland Reporter
WINTERTHUR – With Round 1 in Bern (originally scheduled for the beginning of April) whited out by Jack Frost, the teams of AFL Switzerland were chomping at the bit to kick off the season in Winterthur last Saturday. Precarious weather conditions had the teams preparing for anything as they christened the new astroturf at Fussballplatz Talgut. With a new format for the 2022 season, longer games are sure to produce new drama and further ignite rivalries across the country. Rain and thunderstorms in the forecast could have meant a slippery surface and difficulties holding on to the pill, but the weather held off for most of the day with the sun even peeking out from time to time. And the footy did not disappoint. It was a goal fest all day on the slightly smaller artificial surface with 34 goals kicked in each of the seniors games followed by 23 in the shorter reserves game! Read on as we summarize each game of Round 1 and provide a look ahead at Round 2 again in Winterthur this coming Saturday 14 May.
Seniors
Winterthur Lions vs. Basel Dragons
29.22.196 – 5.8.38
The opening match of the season saw the home Lions going head-to-head against the Basel Dragons, who were making their return to the AFL Switzerland comp for the first time since a Grand Final appearance in 2019. Despite excellent recruitment efforts from club leadership, notably vice-president Nils Schmitt, Basel was still struggling to put together numbers for Round 1 and a major out for the club was Andrew Donbeirer, a Basel lifer who couldn’t make it for the match.
The blows came early and often for a depleted Basel as Winterthur, on home turf, wanted to send a message to the league that they are here to contest for a spot in their first Grand Final and a shot at the premiership flag. Centre clearances won off of great taps by Emanuele ‘Welly’ Zanoli led to heaps of scoring shots for the Lions and early accuracy led to a huge lead. A scrappy effort by Basel had the Lions working for every loose ball, but the improved skill and teamwork of the Lions proved the goods on this day with them winning every quarter. Towards the end of the match, the Dragons’ low numbers caught up to them and the legs ran out as the Lions piled it on with goals coming from all over. Yonas Plfüger, Noah Weber, Dmitri Müller and Mario Müller each kicked at least four goals and made sure that the league goal-kicking ladder will be bunched up with Lions for weeks to come, even in the absence of last year’s league leading goal kicker Jacob Brownley, who will return for Round 2. The 196 points scored by Winterthur are the most by a club during the home-and-away season in AFL Switzerland, matched only by the Jets 213 in the 2019 Grand Final.
Zurich Giants vs. Geneva Jets
11.8.74 – 23.17.155
A rematch of last year’s Grand Final had the attention of the crowd as Zurich searched to repeat their first half of the 2021 GF and stretch it over four quarters while Geneva was hoping to rekindle the magic of their third quarter in last year’s ultimate match where they pulled away and held on to win. The match started rather conservatively with both teams trying not to make mistakes rather than taking the game on. A couple of goals by Geneva at about the five minute mark got things going and the teams went back and forth the rest of the quarter with impressive play from both sides. Some hard-won balls and scrappy goals by Zurich’s forward group of Tim Pendlebury and Ja(e)rrod squared (McVee and Dempster) erased an early deficit and they took a one point lead into the first break. In the second quarter with Giants- in height and team affiliation- Nick Nelson and Max Slavnic winning 87% of the taps, the Jets adjusted by putting an extra player down back which helped stop the clearance play of Zurich and led to some scoring opportunities for Jets ex-coaches Tommy Ross and Benoit Vittori. Zurich kept it close with goals from Cem Menkir and Damo Taylor and, at the half, it was the Jets in front, but not by much.
It wasn’t until part way through the third quarter and an impressive stretch of three straight goals (and a behind) in a matter of seconds -yes, actually seconds- by Jet superstar Seb Permain that the Jets blew the game open and never looked back. The score was less indicative of the course of the match, but in the end, the Jets ran out big winners, showing they have recovered from their scoring woes in Amsterdam and are not wanting to let go of top spot in AFL Switzerland.
Reserves
Nothern Bears vs. Geneva Jets
8.9.57 – 15.12.102
The reserves competition kicked off with a Bears side filled with grit and size taking on the Geneva Jets “reserves”. With low numbers, the Jets had to fill in their side with some spot duty by seniors players, but in the spirit of ressies footy, the game was played in a convivial manner and ended up being the best game of the day. Newcomers on both sides made great strides with Jets newbie couple Sophie Heading and Jonno ‘JT’ Thaine each kicking their first goals in footy. The Jets took an early lead with some accurate kicking and never looked back. The Bears never let up and had strong 2nd and 4th quarters with the wind, but ultimately couldn’t mount a comeback. Improvements in size and skill were notable and the Bears will consistently provide a challenge for the Jets Reserves through the season
Boat Race
As for the most important game of the day and the real reason anyone comes to play, the boat race did not disappoint. As the rain started to pour down, so did the beers and with everyone huddled under the tent at the ground, the competition was fierce. Jets new recruit Sophie Heading showed she’s not just a star on the field, smashing her beer faster than any other competitor. The Schmitt brothers for Basel put in a big effort and the Giants came to play, again putting out a team large in stature and drinking prowess. The home Lions seemed distracted by the late arrival of the beers and couldn’t hold their own this time. It was a surprise showing by Jets Captain Seb Permain’s father, Mr. Permain senior, that made the difference and brought home the 3 from 3 sweep of the day for the Jets.
