(Toronto) The Montreal Alouettes are tired of hearing about their role as underdogs heading into the Eastern final, against the Toronto Argonauts.
“It’s not so much the question of neglected people that is tiring, but rather the questions that constantly come up on the subject,” declared marauder Marc-Antoine Dequoy, triggering hilarity among the journalists gathered at the press point. of the team, at BMO Field.
We understand the narrative: you have a team which had a season of 16 victories against two defeats, it is normal that this narrative was used. For our part, what I see is that every day with my teammates, we talk about what we can do, and when we appear in front of the media, we get questioned about it. This is why there is a “clash”. This speech is never discussed within the team.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy
“It doesn’t mean anything at all,” said head coach Jason Maas. I don’t care who is the underdog, in the end, we have to win the match and we are as capable as them of winning. We play as a team, for our teammates and I’m happy that we have the opportunity to prove it [samedi]. »
Either. But the Alouettes still have no shortage of good stories of underdogs!
“Being the underdog, that’s kind of the story of my whole career,” receiver Tyler Snead said earlier this week. This is nothing new to me. Everyone in our locker room believes in it and like [Darnell] Sankey said it last week: if you don’t believe it, what are you doing here?
“Being the underdogs is good for us. The pressure is on them and it will only be more satisfying to win. »
Sankey came to Montreal after overcoming a good dose of adversity in the XFL.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Darnell Sankey (1)
“Just this year, I won the championship of this league with the Arlington Renegades when we were not supposed to, according to the predictions,” said the linebacker, always very eloquent.
“From the semi-final, against Houston, we were expected to be demolished according to observers. Then in the final, against the DC Defenders, it was the same thing. Everyone had DC winning, but we went and won the championship. »
For the record, the Renegades defeated the Roughnecks 26-11, before defeating the Defenders 35-26 in the final.
I think once in the playoffs, this whole notion of underdogs-favorites takes the edge. The cards no longer count. What matters is who you take to the field that day.
Darnell Sankey
Maas also remembers two special memories.
“In my first season as coach here in Toronto, in 2012, we were not the favorites coming into Montreal. However, we found a way to win this match and the 100e Gray Cup.
“I also remember in Edmonton in 2005. We had to win three playoff games on the road to win the Gray Cup. These are two examples that come to mind, but as a player or a coach, that’s not how you feel. You leave that to the tipsters. »
Believe it or not, underdogs and favorites will kick off this Eastern final Saturday, 3 p.m., at BMO Field.