Results wise, the Bayhawks continued to show improvement throughout the season as glimpses of the on field potential were shown in patches. We went win less until the final round in Whistler in Round 9 where we defeated the undefeated Burnaby Eagles. We came within a kick of beating the West Coast Saints the game before, and we also faded late in a couple of other games.

Results of every round is listed below:

Round 1

Bayhawks 2-2-14 def by Cougars 8-11-59 

Round 2

Bayhawks 2-7-19 def by Eagles 11-12-78

Round 3

Bayhawks 4-4-28 def by Saints 12-12-84

Round 4

Bayhawks 4-5-29 def by Eagles 16-17-115

Round 5

Bayhawks 6-9-45 def by Cougars 8-4-52

Round 6

Bayhawks 9-3-57 def by Saints 12-11-83

Round 7

Bayhawks 7-4-46 def by Cougars 7-22-64

Round 8

Bayhawks 10-12 72 def by Saints 11-10-76

Round 9

Bayhawks 17-15-117 def Eagles 6-12-48

Many of the results didn’t go our way, however, there were some good solid individual performances by a number of people, particularly those who were able to play consistently week in week out. Some of these people were rewarded on presentation night at the conclusion of the season. The presentation night results are as follows:

Best and Fairest: Matt McDowall

Runner up Best and Fairest: Matthew Payne

Best Canadian: Justin Connie

Coaches Award: Graham James

Best Finals Player: Josh Barnes

Goal Kicking: Regan Daniel (10)

Best Clubman: Graham James

The Bayhawks would like to congratulate those who won awards as well as the players who weren’t mention above for their continual involvement and passion for the Bayhawks Australian Rules Football Club. A special mention also has to go to the out going Coach Regan Daniel who after one year of coaching and two years of being involved in the club has returned back to Australia. The Bayhawks are currently looking for someone to fill the position of Coach.

We look forward to season 2012. Keep a look out for more information regarding season 2012 as we now put 2011 well behind us and move forward.

If you’re interested in being part of the Bayhawks in 2012 then please click on this link and get into contact with us. 

Link to Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bayhawks-AFC/231062873627402#!/pages/Bayhawks-AFC/231062873627402

After having an existing Facebook Group where other Facebook users became members, it was decided to also create a Bayhawks Facebook page where people who were interested in the Bayhawks could ‘Like’ the page. This is more of a business page where it enables us to post as the Bayhawks AFC rather than just as individuals.

Throughout the course of the offseason and during the season itself, the Bayhawks Facebook page will be your one stop place for everything to do with the club. It will include news, photo’s, events, results, match reports and schedules. It will also enable people who wish to get involved with the club to get into contact and get a feel what the Bayhawks have to offer as a club and organisation.

So come down and jump on board and show your support with a ‘Like’!

We can be found by searching @BayhawksAFC or by simply clicking on the link below:

https://twitter.com/#!/BayhawksAFC

Our new Twitter page will include all the latest up to date news about the Bayhawks including training, match reports and scores, events, tours and photos!

If you want to be kept up to date with everything Bayhawks, then jump on board and show your support with a Follow!

Coming off of a spectacular premiership season in 2010, the Bayhawks started off the 2011 season with a bang. We may have shot ourselves in the leg with a 0-4 start but everyone makes playoffs so saddle up cause the big birds didnt show up till the end of lord of the rings.

Highlights of the past 4 games are as follows. Clay “pubes” Lund has displayed immaculate hands. In an unconfirmed interview Clay said “I’ll catch herpes if it looks like a footy”. Continuing, the Matt Payne and Regen Daniel bond is still going strong as they display their prowess in the back line while Matty “he-man” Mcdowall continues to be an unstoppable force on the pitch, even with a broken foot. Finally, it should be noted that the bayhawks fell to the cougars by a mere 7 points last game, showing that they can still be a threat in the coming games.

On a stronger note, the team participated in the annual Kelowna trip. Although they were teamed up with the Eagles, Cougars and Saints to form an all BC team, the Bayhawks players represented well out on the playing field. Unfortunately, all-star ruckman Graham James suffered a traumatic injury causing him to leave the tournament. Said injury was caused when Eagles playmaker and resident hardass Jim Oertel collided with the Bayhawks ruckman causing an unsightly gash to open up on Grahams forehead. Coach Regen stated “it was a bloody mess.” Graham will be available for play in several weeks. Although the BC team lost to Edmonton, they pulled out a win against Calgary.

The high point of the day came in the final game which pitted Canada West versus Canada East (Alberta). Canada West came up with the win through fabulous play by Bayhawks players Clay Lund and his super marks, Justin Connie and his superior positioning, and Pat “Thunder” Macvey with his determination and high flying ball control. Further outstanding play was displayed by sister club Canadians Dan Isberg, Robin Macdonald, Jim Oertel, and Quinn Hobbs. The off-field highlight of the trip was brought to us by none other than our very own Connor MacDonald. To the delight of all bystanders, Connor triumphed over a screen door in epic fashion, and feasted on the cheese burger that he fought so valiantly for. When asked if the burger tasted like victory, he said “no, mostly shame really” and refused further comment.

Bayhawks players are all excited for this weeks match against the saints, hoping we can finally get over the hump and win our first match of the season.

Bayhawks 4-4-28 lost to  Saints  12-12-84

Goals: Bayhawks:  Lund, Patty, Gibb, McDowell
Best: Bayhawks: Matt McDowell, Grant Sceney, Regen Daniel, Justin Connie, Matt Payne, Matt Glowacka, Chatterson, Hole

Umpires: Bell, McGrath  Crowd: 80.

Other Match Results:

Eagles 9-9-63  def   Cougars  7-2-44   (Unofficial – TBC)

Goals: Eagles: Piwarski (Sos) 3, Simpson (Lulu), Isberg (Skywalker) 2, Smart, Perry 1
Best: Eagles: Piwarski, G. Brancati, Ortel, Simpson, Perry, Nebel (Spence), Kelly, M. Brancati

Umpires: Grills, Bell.  Crowd: 80.

The two new Canadian recruits, Smart (David) and Nebel (Spence), in their first outing for the Eagles inspired the Eagles who fielded six new faces in total. Such was the  poise under pressure of the two Canadian first-gamers, one could have been forgiven for thinking they were watching two Antipodeans plying their trade.

The Eagles were up and about early and could have sealed it in the first 10 minutes had they kicked straighter.  Piwarski was in everything up forward and looked to be set for a big day but struggled with his range.  Another first gamer at the club, Lulu Lemon Simpson, eased his way into his first hit-out for the year and showed plenty of promise.  But with just a couple of goals separating the teams at the first break the Bayhawks were still in the contest and showed plenty of fight.

From the second quarter BC Footy’s B&F, Matt  McDowell dominated clearances and tackles as he worked tirelessly to list his side through the midfield. But the Eagles’ defence held strong.  Experienced heads Jarad and Frodo lead a tight defensive unit, which only allowed 2 goals for the day. Eagles on top at the half but the game still in the balance.

Coache Regen made a bold move in the third throwing the new Whistler recruit, Karl into the ruck. This looked to be a masterstroke until Karl pulled a hamstring handing back centre dominance to the Eagles midfield.  And after Piwarski, in his first hit out for the year found his range with three goals in the final term and midfielder Joel Kirk also snuck forward for three, the result probably flattered the Eagles.

The Bayhawks have some good players to return and will be heartened by their improvement.  16 year-old prodigy Jason “Sunshine” Silen joined an elite group of footballers to kick a goal with his first kick in senior football.  You’ll hear more of that name in BC Footy over the coming years.

Score

Eagles 11 -12 – 78  def   Bayhawks 2 -7 – 19

Goals: Eagles: Piwarski (Sos) Kirk 3; Simpson (Lulu) 2; Nebel (Spence), Mad AlGormley (Dan) 1.
Bayhawks: Jason (Sunshine), Chris 1.

Best: Eagles: Nebel, Kelly, Kirk, Piwarski, Simpson, Gormley, Smart, Gibb.
Bayhawks: McDowell, Daniel (Rigs), McDonald, Connnie, Yoda,

Umpires: Grils, Bell.  Crowd: 80.

In the other game, the Cougars overcame a spirited Saints team to set up a cracking round three – Two teams vying for their first win and two fighting to sit alone at the top of the table.  Bayhawk Matt Payne chimed in for two goals for the Cougars.

Cougars 9-6-60 def Saints  6-10-46

Umpires: Bell, Simpson, Kelly.  Crowd: 80.

Goals: Wakefield 3, Rusty McAdam 2, Daniel, Perry, Lund, Isberg

Best: Isberg, G Brancati, Gibb, Perry, Kelly, Jarred, McAdam, Wakefield

Umpires: Grils, Campion. Crowd: 80.
Reports: Nil Injuries: McAdam (Calf)

In the other game:

Cougars 8-11-59 def Bayhawks 2-2-14

Bayhawks best: M. Brancati, Gibb, Connie, Isberg, Lund, C. McDonald, Matt McDowell

Goals: Lund 2

Umpires: Grils, Campion. Crowd: 80.
Reports: Nil Injuries: Gibson (ankle)

Matthew Payne, Clayton Lund and Justin Connie will join fellow BC Footy stars Dan Isberg (Burnaby), Scott Flemming (Saints), Sean Hayes (Saints), Clayton Holmes (Saints) and Ash Steier (Cougars) together with representatives form the Ontario and Alberta leagues.

Having such a strong representation from Delta is a glowing endorsement to the North Delta junior program pioneered by Mike McFarlane and Steve Bayley nearly ten years ago.

Matthew Payne, who was a junior in the inaugural year of the North Delta Junior AFL program said he was thrilled with his selection and excited to be touring Australia.  ”I relaly looking forward to meeting more Aussie girls in person!”  joked Matt, “But seriously this is great reward for Mike and Steve as well as the other lads who have really worked hard to grow Aussie Rules in greater Vancouver.”

The International Cup 2011 (IC11) will be played in both Sydney and Melbourne from Friday August 12 with the final on Saturday August 27, 2011.

AFL International Cup Page

Matt Payne, Dan Isberg, Justing Connie and Clay Lund will tour Australia later this year.

Connor McDonald gets a clean hitout against the Saints ruckman

Round three was played in great spirit with all clubs observing a minute's silence to respect the ANZACS

The Bayhawks were competitive in a physical affair