(Hamilton) Canadian Football League to host Gray Cup game for 110e times, Sunday in Hamilton. However, this will be a first clash between the Montreal Alouettes and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the grand final. And contrary to what the statistics suggest, both teams can legitimately hope to win.
The Press surveyed certain members of the Alouettes, after Thursday’s training, to find out what favors the Montreal team and what promises to be the main threat on the Winnipeg side.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy
For the star marauder, it is impossible to name a single reason to justify his team’s possible victory on Sunday. In his opinion, it is “a combination of several things”. And the first thing that went through his mind, on the synthetic turf of the Tim Hortons field, was the ferocity with which the team will approach this final meeting.
You feel like we have the knife between our teeth in this team. We didn’t wait that long to lose. And we don’t know how soon we’ll come back.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Alouettes marauder
On the other hand, facing the Blue Bombers represents a significant challenge and he recognizes it. The task promises to be colossal, mainly because this team is led by Mike O’Shea. The head coach from Ontario managed to drag his team to the final for the fourth consecutive season. “A super well-coached team,” explains Dequoy. They don’t make many mistakes and if the opponent does, they will capitalize. It’s not for nothing that they are at the Gray Cup for the fourth year in a row. »
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Blue Bombers coach Mike O’Shea
David Cote
The 26-year-old kicker, a bit like Dequoy, thinks the Alouettes’ greatest strength lies in their team spirit. If his teammate spoke of the motivation of playing in the final for the first time in 13 years, Côté rather focused on the desire to play for greater than himself.
PHOTO PETER POWER, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Joseph Zema (36) and David Côté (15), Alouettes kickers, during a game in Hamilton last June
“It might be silly to say, but playing for the person next to you and always going the extra mile for the player sitting next to you in the dressing room is huge. These are players you’ve spent the last six months with more than anyone on the planet. »
And we have really felt this union since the start of the season. And this camaraderie, but above all the chemistry within this Montreal brigade, seemed to increase considerably since the start of the playoffs. At the same time, anyone would be elated after winning seven games in a row.
However, the Blue Bombers can also count on an extremely close-knit group of players. The core has barely changed in four years.
“It’s a winning organization. They know how to win. And if they won, it’s because they played good football. They won’t make many mistakes, so it’s up to us not to make many mistakes and to bring our game to the best possible level. »
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Kaion Julien-Grant (11) catches a ball during Thursday’s practice in Hamilton.
Luc Brodeur-Jourdain
The offensive line coach must be one of the most available and relevant members of the Montreal organization. But his greatest quality is still knowing how to win. The two-time Gray Cup champion with the Alouettes and three-time Vanier Cup winner with the Laval University Rouge et Or simply sums up what the team will have to do to triumph: “No turnovers on offense. »
Fajardo was the victim of 12 interceptions in 18 games this season, but he also had to endure dozens of sacks, including seven in the Eastern final against the Argonauts. Since Brodeur-Jourdain is convinced of the effectiveness of the Montreal defense, as has been the case since the first game of the season, he relies on the team’s attack.
If we don’t have any offensive turnovers, if we take care of our ball, if we build attacking sequences that change the positioning on the field, we can win.
Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, offensive line coach
“So the pay zone and the turnovers. This is where Canadian football is played. It was difficult for us during the season, but we are in the playoffs and anything can happen. »
The challenge remains imposing. The Bombers defense has allowed the fewest points this season. The team can also count on defensive end Willie Jefferson, who, according to head coach Jason Maas, is a “future Hall of Famer.”
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Willie Jefferson in training, Friday
Brodeur-Jourdain fears the pressure placed on his offensive line, especially from Jefferson. “It’s the pressure that comes from the inside by pushing the pocket to push the quarterback to move left and right,” he explains. And this is where the big guys on the outside do their work by making their tackle. »
They have been so well-established for four years, concludes the 40-year-old coach. “Defensively, they’re a tough team to beat, because in coverage, what they do passing is not really replicated by anyone in the league. »